McKenzie fights his corner

Last updated : 03 November 2005 By Rick Lamb
If Leon McKenzie finds out you've been spreading rumours about him, you had better have your running shoes on.

The Canaries striker joked that he would "knock out" whoever was behind the gossip that has plagued him and his family for some time now.

The former Peterborough forward, currently out of the side with an ankle injury, has had to endure internet tittle-tattle about his absence, which has been blamed variously on a jail term and a spell in a mental institution.

But the nippy member of the famous McKenzie boxing family came out fighting, telling the club's official website, www.canaries.co.uk, that: "Anyone who thinks I've been locked-up in a mental hospital obviously needs some help themselves."

McKenzie also rubbished stories that he and Damien Francis had fallen out, leading to the former Canary midfielder's broken cheekbone and subsequent departure from Carrow Road, saying that the two former room mates on Norwich away days remain firm friends.

The 26-year-old Londoner stressed that he was speaking out for the sake of his family because of the personal nature of rumours surrounding his divorce from his wife.

"At the end of the day I have two children who live here and go to school here and all this could come back to them. I don't think that's fair on my eight-year-old son.

"I'm separated from their mum and unfortunately I then hurt my ankle really badly in training.

"I don't really care what's said about me - I'm just trying my best to come back."

With Leon in such feisty form, City fans will await his return to the side eagerly.