York | Archive | 2001 | May | 18
From the Evening Press, first published Friday 18th May 2001.
Danny Mills believes his former club Charlton can turn Liverpool's champagne flat and assist Leeds United back into the Champions League.
Leeds need to beat Leicester at Elland Road tomorrow and rely on Alan Curbishley's side preventing a Liverpool win at The Valley, just three days after Gerard Houllier's heroes added the UEFA Cup to the Worthington Cup and FA Cup.
Mills, who left Charlton in a £4million deal two years ago, played a key part in Leeds' march to the Champions League semi-final where they crashed out to Valencia.
Now he wants another tilt at Europe's top competition and says: "We would all relish a return to the Champions League.
"I hope Charlton can deny
Liverpool a win. The Valley is a difficult place to go, as so many teams have found this season, so hopefully my old club can get something from the game while we'll be doing our best to beat Leicester.
"We want to finish as high as we can in the Premiership. A place in the top three again would mean a good end to the season and leave us on a high when we start preparing for the next one."
Lucas Radebe completed 90 minutes in the reserves in midweek and could win a place on the bench against Leicester after missing ten games with knee ligament problems. Robbie Keane is also on the mend after an ankle injury kept him out of the squad against Bradford last week.
David Batty is suspended so Stephen McPhail or Eirik Bakke may start in midfield.
Meanwhile, manager David O'Leary has brushed off reports that goalkeeper Nigel Martyn may be on his way to Fulham at the end of the season.
With England Under-21 keeper Paul Robinson waiting in the wings, Martyn's time is running out, but O'Leary said: "Neither of our two goalkeepers will be leaving Leeds United.
"Paul Robinson and Nigel Martyn are both quality players and they will both be here for some time to come yet.
Updated: 11:48 Friday, May 18, 2001
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