Five interested parties have made rival bids for Leeds United as Ken Bates attempts to cling on to power.

Creditors meet at Elland Road tomorrow knowing Bates is favourite to complete his buy-back of the club, which went into administration earlier this month with debts of around £35million.

But Bates and his co directors Shaun Harvey and Mark Taylor, face opposition from two US funds, two consortiums of UK businessmen and a private individual.

Unsecured creditors will receive just one penny in the pound if Bates' company gains control but investor creditors have indicated they will use their voting rights to defeat any alternative proposal, even if this results in the club's liquidation.

Should Bates, Harvey and Taylor get the nod tomorrow, they could still face a future buy-out, with Duncan Revie believed to have the backing of Sheikh Mohammed, the world's fifth richest man, who has an estimated fortune of £15billion.

The Sheikh is Prime Minister and vice-president of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

Bates claims he has had "amazing" support from the club's fans.

Talking ahead of tomorrow's creditors' meeting, he said: "I would like to thank everyone for the measure of their support by e-mail, letter, fax, telephone and those who have come up personally supporting what we are trying to do.

"It has been amazing and very touching. Some fans have sent in money, which we have returned. After tomorrow we hope to be able to go forward, put the tribulations of the past five or six years behind us, start on an even playing field and start getting the club back where it belongs."

A total of 37 interested parties have contacted the administrators wanting further information and eight have provided proof of £10million funds.