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Cellino has told new Leeds boss Dave Hockaday not to pick the £10,000-a-week star as his birthday clashes with his least favourite number.

Kenny, who is the second highest-paid player at Elland Road, has been dropped from the squad for their current pre-season tour of the Italian Alps.

Leeds have also completed the signing of Reading goalkeeper Stuart Taylor on a free transfer to cast further doubts on Kenny's future.

Starsport understands the former Republic of Ireland star will now leave the club this summer if an acceptable bid is made.

Cellino has also told Kenny he is not fit enough and needs to lose some weight otherwise he will face the sack.

But it is the Italian's superstitious hatred of the number 17 that has left Kenny stunned as he faces a losing battle to save his Leeds career.

A source said: "To say this is strange is an understatement, but once he discovered the player's birthday fell on the 17th of a month then he didn't want him to be picked.

"There are other issues with the player that he is concerned about, but his hatred of the number 17 knows no bounds."

The former Cagliari owner, who has also banned the colour purple from Elland Road and the training ground, claims that the Serie A club never won or drew a game on the 17th of a month.

He even went as far as to change the seat number in the stadium from 17 to 16b and is considering doing the same thing at Elland Road.

It is understood Cellino has ordered 17 to be removed from the club's squad list next season.

Veteran midfielder Michael Brown, who wears the No.17 shirt, is out of contract at the club this summer.

But he has been told that if he wants to remain at the Championship outfit he will have to change his squad number.

Meanwhile, captain Ross McCormack is understood to have handed in a transfer request, with Fulham keen to sign him.