Harry Kewell is set to provoke a club-v-country row by playing in Australia’s friendly with England at Upton Park on Wednesday, against the wishes of his club side.
The 24-year-old winger has been deemed unfit to play in Leeds’ last two matches, but he plans play against England.
“It’s a club rule where if they’re not fit on the Saturday they don’t play internationals,” said Venables.
A Leeds director has even threatened to initiate legal action against Australia should Kewell suffer an injury recurrence on WEdnesday.
“We recognise Harry Kewell would like to play for Australia, but technically he shouldn’t be playing on Wednesday,” said David Walker.
“There will be a problem if he plays and then misses games for Leeds. I don’t want to have to say it, but Soccer Australia don’t have a lot of money do they?”
Kewell, though, is insistent that his country should come first.
“At the moment my priority is Australia. That’s my next game. Then it’s Leeds,” he said.
“I didn’t know it was a club rule that I couldn’t play for Australia, but I get on well with Terry Venables and had a good conversation with him,” he added.
