WANDERER Mark Fish was being given no guarantees of an instant return as he prepared to jet home from the Middle East today, writes Gordon Sharrock.

South Africa crashed out of the Confederations Cup when they were beaten 3-2 by Uruguay in Saudi Arabia last night - a result that put them bottom of their four-nation group and left the Bolton centre-back free to fly back to prepare for Saturday's Premiership game at Leeds.

But he may have to wait in line behind Chris Fairclough, who impressed on his return to first team action against Derby and could keep his place against his former club.

"Mark should be back with us tomorrow," Colin Todd confirmed, "but it's difficult to say whether he will be right for a game on Saturday.

"He's been away almost two weeks and has just played three games in five days, which is hardly the best preparation for what is going to be another tough Premiership encounter."

Another ex-Leeds man, Mike Whitlow, returned to training today after missing the Derby game with a virus but injured trio Keith Branagan, Gerry Taggart and Gudni Bergsson were still under treatment and struggling to make it.

The extent of Bergsson's ankle problem forced Todd to withdraw Neil Cox from last night's reserve team game.

Cox is on standby to make an early return at right back if the captain's ankle injury doesn't respond to treatment and the manager, who had hoped to give the former Middlesbrough and Villa star an extra game to sharpen his match practice, was taking no chances.

"I pulled him out of the game as a precaution," the manager explained.

"Gudni's struggling and I couldn't afford to run the risk of anything happening to Coxy as well."

Alan Thompson and Dean Holdsworth are unavailable for the Elland Road game as they start three and two-match suspensions.

Reserve left-back Bryan Small, who has just returned from a three-month loan spell at Luton, is considering joining Northampton on a month's loan. Meanwhile, Wanderers have agreed to let Blackpool keep Greg Strong on loan for a second month.

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