Strachan can leave if he wants, say Saints

Gordon Strachan came under growing pressure to decide on his future yesterday, after being told he was free to walk away from Southampton if he wanted to take over as manager of Leeds.

In a move which underlined the increasingly-strained relationship between Strachan and the south coast club, chairman Rupert Lowe revealed that there would be no attempt to dissuade the former Leeds favourite from returning to Elland Road should he want to.

Despite weekend reports of an imminent Leeds approach for the Southampton boss, it is understood that caretaker-manager Eddie Gray will remain in charge for Saturday's key home match against Bolton.