Smith confirms Leeds exit

Boro declare interest Leeds want £10m for Smith

Alan Smith says he is certain to leave Leeds now their relegation from the Premiership is all but confirmed.

The England striker also revealed the Elland Road board planned to sell him even if they avoided the drop.

"I am not a First Division player and I have got an international career to think about, and hopefully the Leeds fans understand that," he said.

"Hopefully I will still be able to come back to this club and it won't be the last time I am seen in a Leeds shirt."

Smith met the Leeds board last week before Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Bolton condemned the club to the Nationwide League, barring a mathematical miracle.

Nobody wants our players because of their wages, some of which are beyond belief Leeds managing director David Richmond

"I went in under the impression they were going to move heaven and earth to get me to stay," Smith added.

"But it was a long way from being that and they told me I wouldn't get a new contract even if we stayed up.

"I was full of optimism when I went into that meeting, but it's clear they plan to try to sell the players."

Leeds have already appointed an agent to handle the anticipated end-of-season departures, with Smith at the head of a list including goalkeeper Paul Robinson, Australian striker Mark Viduka and teenager James Milner.

But Leeds managing director David Richmond says clubs may shy away from buying some United players because of their wages - which he describes as being "beyond belief".

"We need a new team of hard-working players," Richmond told the Yorkshire Post.

Gray rues relegation

"Nobody wants our players because of their wages, some of which are beyond belief.

"But I will get rid of those players we need to as quickly as possible to give us the best possible chance of coming back stronger next season."

The Leeds board will meet on Tuesday to discuss the way forward, and Richmond pledged to work "every hour possible, night and day" to rebuild the club.

"It is not going to be easy, because we don't have a lot of money but we have to do what we can for those wonderful supporters," he added.

"We have the backing of the best fans in the country, and they deserve a lot better than they have got.

"Next year we will have passion on the pitch to compare with the passion shown by our fans."