Bowyer in line to tackle Newcastle

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Lee Bowyer could play against the Premiership leaders, Newcastle United, at Elland Road tomorrow after being taken off the transfer list by Leeds United in a peace deal brokered by the Professional Footballers' Association.

The possibility of Bowyer's return came after he accepted Leeds' fine of four weeks wages – amounting to £64,000 – for breaking the club's code of conduct.

The PFA's chief executive, Gordon Taylor, was instrumental in solving the impasse between player and club which only 24 hours previously he had described as "a mess."

Talks took place throughout the day between Bowyer, his representatives, the Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale, and Taylor before agreement was finally reached that the player would back down from his stern stance.

"A financial contribution equivalent to that previously stated has been agreed between the parties and will be put towards the club's community programme for work within the inner-city communities and the local children's hospice," Ridsdale said.

"Leeds United would like to go on record as thanking Gordon Taylor, Lee's agent, David Geiss, and his legal advisor, Steven Barker, for their assistance in resolving this issue.

"Leeds United would like to make it clear this is an internal disciplinary issue and in no way relates to the case at Hull Crown Court."

Bowyer has also agreed to be at the forefront of, and undertake, the extra work for the community which was previously asked of him, alongside Jonathan Woodgate. The centre-back, found guilty of affray but cleared of GBH in the trial at Hull Crown Court, had earlier this week accepted his eight-week fine of £104,000 with "good grace", according to Ridsdale.

With the Leeds manager, David O'Leary, having offered the incentive of a substitute's role for Bowyer – now fit again after an six- week lay-off with a hamstring injury – it seems certain he will take his place on the bench against Newcastle.

"Lee is now fit to play," O'Leary said. "He is training and there is no problem with injury. By Saturday he will be up for selection. We are looking at him bench-wise for the weekend. I've not ruled that out. Maybe that will be an incentive."

The club took the strictest possible action against Bowyer on Tuesday following his refusal to pay a fine of four weeks' wages for being drunk on the night student Sarfraz Najeib was assaulted last year.

Although acquitted last Friday on charges of affray and grievous bodily harm in relation to the attack on Najeib, the club said Bowyer was still subject to internal discipline.

But when informed of the decision by the club, who had also requested he become a leading figure in their community programme for the remaining 18 months of his four-year contract, Bowyer stormed out of a meeting.

Ridsdale, after consultation with O'Leary, immediately put Bowyer up for sale and it appeared as if the wayward midfielder had played his last game for the club.

O'Leary, who had held a heart-to-heart with Bowyer on Tuesday, was left stunned by the player's attitude as the 24-year-old was insistent he would not be paying the fine in the belief he had done nothing wrong. Bowyer claimed he was being victimised and forced out, but all inside Elland Road were insistent he pay and stay.

With his career on the line, Bowyer chose to watch his team-mates against Everton at Elland Road on Wednesday. The home fans chanted his name throughout the 3-2 victory, while the players saluted their colleague as he looked on from the radio gantry.