KEVIN Blackwell could be on the verge of walking out on Leeds United after his expected appointment as manager failed to materialise.

The former Sheffield United assistant boss was expected to be appointed manager yesterday with a two-year contract only for the club to announce a delay.

That has revived speculation that Iain Dowie is the board's number one choice but with Crystal Palace involved in the play-off final on Saturday nothing can be concluded until after the weekend.

Southampton and Blackburn are keen to add a top-quality coach to their staff and both clubs rate Blackwell.

The Saints considered him for the manager's job at St Mary's following Gordon Strachan's departure earlier this year before handing the post to Paul Sturrock.

Director Peter Lorimer defended United's surprise decision not to appoint Blackwell yesterday and instead delay the decision.

He said: "We have always said it is the most vital decision this club has had to deal with for a long, long time.

"Whatever happens and whoever gets put in charge has a mega job on their hands and we want to make sure every angle is covered.

"We are doing that now, but it is not quite sorted out yet. Until it is, it's ongoing.

"All I can say is we are not quite ready. We have to look at other options should the one everybody thought it was going to be not turn out to be the right one."

Meanwhile, a Leeds fans' leader believes the delay in naming the new manager at Elland Road is a clear sign that a takeover by lifelong fan Steve Parkin is imminent.

John Boocock, of the Leeds United Supporters Trust, said: "It confirms to me that we are very close to something happening. If the Steve Parkin bid was dead in the water, the current board would have made an appointment straight away.

"It would be madness to appoint someone if you knew a takeover was about to happen. I think we will see action very soon."

Parkin, who is believed to favour Dowie for the vacant managerial post at Elland Road, has kept out of the spotlight since news of his bid emerged earlier this month.

The Yorkshire haulage boss inspected the club's finances last week and Boocock said: "I think it is time for him to break cover and make it clear what his intentions are and who his backers are.

"I can understand him being quiet up to this point but if he is to take over the club he has to prove himself to the supporters and that we can trust him."

Alan Smith's £7 million switch to Manchester United is likely to go ahead this week.

Negotiations are on-going with Leeds insisting no deal has been done after they last week rejected offers of £3.5 and £5.5 million from the Red Devils.

But Leeds are keen on 21-year-old Danny Pugh and the left back could arrive at Elland Road as part of the deal. Pugh made just two appearances this season for the Old Trafford club, both in the Carling Cup.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, May 25, 2004