Leeds United hero Nunez drop to bench

LEEDS United’s midweek Carling Cup hero Ramon Nunez is expected to return to the bench for tomorrow’s Championship home clash against Middlesbrough.Nunez bagged a brace in the 3-2 derby defeat of Bradford City at Elland Road on Tuesday night but the return of fellow wingers Robert Snodgrass and Max Gradel from international duty means the Honduran is unlikely to be handed a second start following his promising full debut.On-loan Celtic centre-back Darren O’Dea is also available again after playing in the Republic of Ireland’s 0-0 draw against Croatia and Andy O’Brien looks likely to make way after being jeered off by United fans following his substitution against Bradford.Strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma remain sidelined, while fellow frontman Billy Paynter is also doubtful with a thigh strain.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, could be without highly-rated defender Matthew Bates, who is being courted by Premier League new boys Swansea and was left out of Tuesday’s 3-0 Carling Cup win at Walsall.

But Australian pair Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams both return from representing their country, as do Estonian Tarmo Kink and Barry Robson, who was an unused substitute in Scotland’s 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifier win over Denmark.