Chairman Peter Ridsdale has warned that the club would have to off-load some of their more highly-priced talent should the unthinkable happen and they miss the Champions League - or more likely now - UEFA Cup jackpot.

Speculation has since surrounded the likely candidates for the Elland Road exit - meaning yesterday’s double dose of good news from Bowyer and Keane was particularly welcome.

Bowyer had been briefly placed on the transfer list by O’Leary after refusing to accept disciplinary action earlier this year.

But the former England Under-21 star backed down and has now expressed his desire to stay at Elland Road.

‘‘Of course I want to stay,’’ Bowyer told BBC Radio Leeds.

‘‘The support here is great. Where can I get support like I’ve had here? It’s impossible.’’

The former Charlton player’s advisors have been negotiating the new contract with the club, although Bowyer admitted no deal had yet been agreed.

He said: ‘‘I know they met on Thursday but they haven’t agreed terms yet, but hopefully they will and I’ll still be here.’’

And Keane has voiced his desire to put this season’s frustrations behind him and fight for his place in the side.

‘‘I’ve heard the speculation loads of times before,’’ he said.

‘‘I love Leeds, it’s a good club, and I feel at home here.

‘‘Every club I’ve been at in the last three or four years, after I’ve been there about six to eight months, there are rumours I’m going here, there and everywhere.

‘‘But just to clarify, and get everything out of the way, I’m happy at Leeds. I’ve always said that, and I’m willing to keep fighting for my place.’’

For the first time in four months on Sunday, Keane was able to enjoy a trademark celebratory cartwheel after scoring Leeds’ all-important second goal in the 2-0 home victory over Sunderland.

It was a rare moment of glory for Keane this season, particularly in the Premier League, as he has found himself overshadowed by Robbie Fowler, Mark Viduka and Alan Smith.

Since Fowler’s £11m (€18m) arrival from Liverpool at the end of November, Keane has started just one match, sandwiched by eight appearances as a substitute.

Keane was again reduced to a bit-part role against Sunderland, but in coming on for Fowler just after the hour mark he proved his worth by netting his first league goal since September 30.

New First Division champions Manchester City and promotion-hopefuls Wolves where Keane started his career had both been rumoured to be interested in prising the 23-year-old away from Leeds.

But the £13 (€21m) capture from Inter Milan in December 2000 although the entire fee will not be paid off until early 2004 has no intention of walking away from Leeds.

‘‘Of course there is frustration in not starting, particularly as I know I’m playing well for Ireland and playing well for Leeds when I come on.

‘‘Obviously, no-one wants to be on the bench. As a footballer you want to be playing football. That’s your job, but the last couple of months I haven’t been playing.

‘‘But I feel good and I feel sharp, and I will just have to keep doing what I’m doing. Hopefully my goal, and what I did when I came on, will maybe get me a start.’’