Kavanagh, Savage in quit threats - March 13, 2001
Republic of Ireland international midfielder Graham Kavanagh says he will quit Stoke City if the Potteries side fail to gain promotion to division one this season.
And another senior Irish international, Northampton's Dave Savage, could also be on his way after the breakdown of contract negotiations.
Stoke manager Gudjon Thordarsson has rubbed all three members of his Irish contingent up the wrong way this season, with u21 internationals Clive Clarke and James O'Connor demanding transfers and Kavanagh reacting furiously to being left out of the team a fortnight ago.
Thordarsson insists none of his players is for sale and slapped down a QPR bid for Clarke the other day. He also rejected a West Brom inquiry for Kavanagh last month - but the 27-year-old insists he is on his way if Stoke don't make division one.
The dissatisfaction in the camp has manifested itself on the field. The Potters' promotion drive has come off the rail in recent weeks and a draw with Brentford at the weekend has left them just hanging on to the last play-off place.
"If we don't get promoted, I'll want to leave," Kavanagh said. "After this season, I'll still have a year left on my contract. I'd imagine Stoke might want to cash in on me then."
Savage, meanwhile, who is out of contract at Northampton this summer, has just learned that the club is pleading poverty when it comes to pay rises.
"I wish I'd been put in the picture earlier," the 27-year-old Dubliner said. "I don't think what I am asking is unreasonable but, if they can't come up with something much better, where is the incentive to stay?"