Tomorrow is D-Day for Leeds but it will not be clear whether that stands for debt-free or disaster until would-be challengers to the administration process show their hands.

A group of private creditors claim the likelihood of them deciding to appeal against the decision to sell the club back to Ken Bates is 50-50.

The Inland Revenue are making no comment but are being urged by several MPs to try to get more than the penny in the pound that Bates's deal is offering on their debt of over £7million.

Tomorrow is the last chance to mount an appeal. If none is forthcoming, the Football League are expected to rubberstamp Bates's buy-back and lift the transfer embargo that has prevented any buying or selling.

However, a challenge could mean Leeds remaining in administration into the new season and leave the League with a headache.

There is concern about the major offshore creditors who pushed through the deal, saying they would only support Bates's offer even though other groups were offering a bigger return on the debt.

Meanwhile, the Leeds squad were put through their paces today on the first day of pre-season.

The only member of the current squad not to return was former captain Kevin Nicholls, who has agreed a move to Preston once the embargo is lifted.

The out-of-contract players - including Rui Marques, Matt Heath and Tore Andre Flo - took part even though they cannot officially re-sign for Leeds until the administration is over.