Midfielder Eirik Bakke has claimed he is being forced out of Leeds United.
Eirik Bakke claims Leeds have told him he has played his last game for the Yorkshire side as they can not afford the midfielder's wages.The Norwegian international is one of the few survivors from the club's glory days in the UEFA Champions League and Premiership before the extent of Peter Ridsdale's spending led to a dramatic fall in Leeds' fortunes.
However Bakke now says he is no longer wanted at Elland Road after being left out of the squad to face rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
"My agent was contacted by Shaun Harvey (Leeds' chief executive) last week and was told that, because of financial circumstances, I wouldn't be playing for Leeds United again," Bakke told the Yorkshire Post.
"As far as I'm aware there are no offers for me and the talk about me taking a transfer to another club is wrong. Leeds want me to leave.
"But I want to stay. I'm coming back from injury and I need games, so it's a very worrying time.
"But I'm still a Leeds United player."
In a separate interview Bakke has admitted he would be tempted by a return to Norway with league leaders SK Brann.
"I have never rejected to play for Brann, it would have been nice to become champions with Brann," Bakke told Bergens Tidende.
Whilst Bakke seems to be on his way out of Elland Road, Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell is looking to strengthen his midfield options after losing Steve Stone for six weeks.
The former Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa man tore his abductor muscle in the recent Championship defeat to Cardiff, joining new signing Kevin Nicholls on the sidelines, and as a result Blackwell is keen to bring in some new faces before Thursday's deadline.
"There will have to be some sort of movement because we haven't got the numbers," said Blackwell.
"It's inevitable that there will be loans throughout the season, but we'll only do it when it's right to do so."
