Leeds United start their Premiership season by 'welcoming' Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer back to Elland Road.

Newcastle are the attractive visitors on Saturday, August 16, with Woodgate and Bowyer giving the fixture added spice.

Woodgate was controversially sold to the Magpies in January but the clubs agreed that he should not play against Leeds at Elland Road less than a month after his transfer.

Bowyer moved to Newcastle from relegated West Ham in the summer and is expected to get a torrid reception from the fans over the way he quit Leeds last season.

Peter Reid's men face newly-promoted Leicester (away) on Saturday, September 13, visit another promoted side, Portsmouth, on Saturday, November 8 and then travel to Wolves, who came up via the play-offs, on December 28.

There is a Boxing Day tit-bit, with former Leeds manager David O'Leary taking Aston Villa to Elland Road, and the two games against Manchester United are on Saturdays October 18 and February 21.

Meanwhile, Harry Kewell's departure from Leeds United moved a step closer last night as Arsenal tried to head off a bid from Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has cash to spend after selling David Beckham to Real Madrid.

Arsenal are, however, the only club officially to contact Leeds with a possible cash plus player swap deal.

Kewell and his agent, Bernie Mandic, met Gunners chairman David Dein yesterday with Arsenal keen on securing the deal as soon as possible to prevent other clubs hijacking the move.

Leeds have offered Kewell, whose current deal runs out next summer, a new £48,000 per week contract but the Aussie has stalled on signing.

Leeds are keen on a player plus cash deal for Kewell, with Ray Parlour and Jermaine Pennant interesting United boss Reid.

Kewell's possible exit has not affected season ticket sales at Elland Road.

After a disastrous 2002-03 campaign, Leeds were worried sales would be noticeably down on last season's 25,000. However, they are now approaching the 20,000 mark and officials are confident of matching last year's tally by the time the top-flight campaign kicks off.

Updated: 11:46 Thursday, June 19, 2003