West Ham's Lee Bowyer could face a cauldron of hatred when he returns to former club Leeds United tomorrow.

The midfielder angered many Leeds fans by refusing to negotiate a new contract with the club and leaving on a cut-price deal.

And with demonstrations against the chairman Peter Ridsdale already expected, Bowyer's return could be used as a symbol of the Yorkshire club's decline.

Simon Jose, of the Leeds United Independent Fans Association, warned of a hot reception for the midfielder, who became a hero after inspiring the club's run to the Champions League semi-finals.

"I'm sure Bowyer will get a load of stick because he made it clear that he didn't want to play for Leeds," he said. "I think he's been made into a bit of a pariah.

"When you think of the enormous amount support the fans gave him during the court cases, it hurt a lot of people when he turned around and said he wanted to leave.

"That came on top of the problems with Olivier Dacourt and the transfer of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United, so patience has been severely tested."

Bowyer himself has proved in the past that he is more than capable of handling pressure from outside -- some of his best football at Leeds came during the long-running court case against him.

And manager Glenn Roeder is certain he will be able to cope with the hot-house atmosphere expected at Elland Road where two struggling sides look to clinch a morale-boosting win.

"It will be a special game for Lee because he spent six years there, developed in stature and became an England player," said Roeder.

"It was a club that had a squad full of talent that became a Champions' League team.

"Lee learned in that environment and because of that he is the player that he is today."

On the field Steve Lomas returns to the squad after a one-match ban, while Ian Pearce could take over from Christian Dailly at the back after shaking off a bout of flu.

Published Friday, February 7, 2003

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