News Leeds players will meet the club's acting chairman Trevor Birch today, when he hopes they will accept the wage deferral that should stave off the immediate threat of administration.

Accompanied by representatives of the Professional Footballers' Association, but without personal advisers or agents, the players will be addressed by Birch, who instigated the meeting, as he explains the imperative to raise pounds £5 million by the weekend in order to see the club through to the end of the season.

The players would have been expected to agree a deferral of 35 per cent of their salaries but Manchester United yesterday agreed to pay Leeds £1.5 million as the final settlement on Rio Ferdinand's transfer to Old Trafford. As Leeds were still owed £3.25 million it means they have effectively lost £1.75 million on the transfer - but it should reduce the percentage needed on the players' wage deferral.

Certainly the PFA might be unhappy at a deferral in excess of the 25 per cent negotiated with the players and management of Sunderland last summer when administration also loomed and directors had initially hoped for higher deferrals.

"If it comes to the last throw of the dice, the players will certainly accept a deferral," said Hayden Evans, agent to the PFA representative at the club, David Batty.

"Hopefully things will be sorted out by the weekend but, as things stand, the players are aware that the reaction they receive from the crowd on Saturday (when Leeds are home to Middlesbrough) could be touch and go."

"The fact they have reduced their cash-flow problems will have a positive effect," said Mick McGuire, the PFA's deputy chief executive. "We can't make any decisions on anything until we have assessed the position."

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of a move by a consortium of local businessmen hoping to take the club over for £20 million.

Batty sent a personally typed email to assorted fan groups yesterday in which he stressed his commitment to Leeds and wrote of his suspicion of "character assassinations" on the part of certain parties "looking for an excuse to shift the blame". Last night Evans said the response to Batty's email from supporters had been "roughly 75 per cent in favour of David and 25 per cent still against him". He added: "Some supporters said they wouldn't believe the statement until David came and read it out in front of television cameras."

Claudio Ranieri has indicated that there is still significant rebuilding to be done at Chelsea. The Italian has spent more than £110 million but said yesterday that he remains about eight players short of a squad which can dominate Europe.

That suggests a hectic period of comings and going next summer, though Ranieri has been keen to get the ball rolling during this transfer window. He has tried to sign Scott Parker from Charlton, though Chelsea will have to increase their offer to £10-12 million.

Ranieri has brought in 11 players since Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge. It is well known that Ranieri wants another goalkeeper, with Petr Cech expected to join from Rennes. He also wants to strengthen his central midfield, both full-back positions, plus possibly at least one wide player and a striker. Borussia Dortmund's Tomas Rosicky, who has been linked with Chelsea, has said he intends to see out the season in Germany. He had been touted as a possible replacement for Juan Sebastian Veron, who has undergone surgery on his back.