Speculation linking Mark Viduka with a move to Chelsea has intensified after the Leeds striker pulled out of this weekend's Dublin tournament at Tolka Park.
Viduka has cited a sore ankle as the reason why he will not be travelling for matches against Aston Villa tomorrow and either Shelbourne or St Patricks 24 hours later, prompting Peter Reid to say he was "very disappointed" with the late withdrawal.
While any suggestion of another bust-up has been denied by Viduka's agent, Andrea D'Amico, the Australian is understood to be on a shortlist of Stamford Bridge targets which includes Auxerre's Djibril Cisse, Real Mallorca's Samuel Eto'o and Parma's Adrian Mutu.
Chelsea, who appear to have failed in their bid to land Christian Vieri from Inter, are desperate to add a striker to their summer shopping spree.