Worthington laughs off Leeds

Nigel Worthington has dismissed suggestions that he would consider leaving Norwich City to become manager of Leeds United.

Worthington, who played for the club in the mid-1990s, will lead Norwich to the top of the First Division for the first time since he took charge of the club with victory over Watford at Carrow Road today.

The Nottingham Forest manager, Paul Hart, West Bromwich Albion's Gary Megson and Gordon Strachan, the Southampton manager, have all been mentioned as possible replacements for Peter Reid. But Worthington said: "There has been no call from Leeds. I am not looking for any calls from Leeds, I'm very happy. Why leave a club that is two quid in debt and go to a club that is 80 million in debt?"

Jermaine Pennant is to remain with Leeds for a further month after Arsenal agreed to extend his loan spell at the Yorkshire club. The England Under-21 international winger was due to return to Highbury next week after spending the past three months at Elland Road. The caretaker manager Eddie Gray, however, has reached an agreement with Arsenal to keep the 20-year-old until 20 December.

The Aston Villa manager, David O'Leary, who on Thursday distanced himself from speculation linking him with a return to Leeds, his former club, has again spoken out after reports of a feud with his chairman, Doug Ellis.

The 45-year-old Irishman, who has spent £4m on new players since his arrival at Villa Park in the summer, is said to have been frustrated at the lack of funds at his disposal. He said: "It would be nice sometimes to be able to talk about football, rather than answering endless questions about the money situation.

"I've said from day one that I'm here to put things right out there on the pitch for Aston Villa. If I have money to spend in January, that's great and I'll do my best to spend it wisely. If not, I won't be whinging about it. If there's no money to spend, there's no money to spend. I wish people could just accept that."