Howard Wilkinson, the English FA's technical director, has today yesterday diffused a club v country time bomb by handing Premiership sides a reprieve for the Under-20 World Cup later this year.

Wilkinson was on a collision course with club managers who feared he would pick their best young players for the competition, to be held in Nigeria from April 3rd-24th.

Wilkinson said yesterday: "I never had any intention of taking players who are involved on a regular basis with their first teams."

For Leeds United, who would have been worst hit losing Jonathon Woodgate and Alan Smith, the comments from Wilkinson, a former Leeds manager, have come as a major relief.

Manager David O'Leary said: "I welcome it. It's very encouraging. Without a doubt it's the logical outcome. I think the rule should be set above Howard that if any young player is a regular in his club's first team he should not be selected for these kind of tournaments.

"I don't blame Howard, but that way the coach would know where he stands from the start."

However, Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr has insisted that he will call on all his players including one of O'Leary's youngsters, Stephen McPhail.

Wilkinson's comments give hope to managers but no final conclusion has yet been reached on his selection policy. He held more talks yesterday with interested parties including the Premier League. No final policy has yet been established but it is expected that this will be revealed by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United, a club already in disarray with their dressing-room split between British and foreign players, and with results going against them, are now in danger of losing their club captain Robert Lee and centre-half Steve Howey.

Howey (27), recently rated at £5 million by the Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit, is said to be wanted by Gerard Houllier at Liverpool for next season. Arsenal and Tottenham have also made inquiries about Howey. West Ham have inquired about Lee, who is valued at £2 million by Newcastle.

West Ham are facing competition from Arsenal and Rangers in their bid to sign Rob Jones from Liverpool.

Carlton Palmer (33) became Ron Atkinson's first signing for Nottingham Forest when he completed a £1.1 million switch from Southampton.

Eurosport will broadcast France's friendly fixture against Morocco in Marseille tonight (kick-off 7.30). Chelsea's Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf, and Arsenal trio Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira and Nicolas Anelka, are all included in the world champions' squad.