Leeds brush aside Oxford

Austin celebrates after opening the scoring

Neil Warnock made several changes to his side for the Capital One Cup second round clash with Oxford United.Handing a debut to Jamie Ashdown, a return for Andy Gray, and starts for Paddy Kisnorbo and El-Hadji Diouf.Oxford were lively enough at the start and United had some defending to do. Jason Pearce had to head away one cross while Kisnorbo blocked a shot from Alfie Potter.But it was United who went in front on 27 minutes when Aidy White pulled the ball back on the edge of the box, Diouf allowed it to run, and Rodolph Austin smashed home his first goal in a Leeds United shirt.It was 2-0 shortly after the half-hour when Sam Byram showed real quality to not only work himself the opening, but to deliver a top quality finish for his first goal for the club. He skipped past a defender and showed real quality to chip the goalkeeper.

It was almost 3-0 when Byram was again involved, feeding an advancing Diouf, but Ryan Clarke got a hand on the strike as Diouf looked to slip it back across him.
United also started the second half on the front foot and it took some desperate defending to prevent a third goal, although there were claims from Leeds for a foul inside the six-yard box.
Pearce had an effort blocked as United looked to kill the tie off during the early stages of the second period. Austin also ratted the crossbar with a thunderous strike from around 40 yards out.
It was a night of spectacular strikes and Byram was next to try his luck when he sent a volley over the bar after great work by Diouf in teeing him up.
At the other end, Adam Drury cleared the danger when Simon Heslop was closing in on a low centre as Oxford mounted a rare raid. United were soon back on the attack, though, and Michael Brown had a shot blocked.
A third goal did come on 73 minutes when Diouf delivered a cross from the right and Tom Lees powered a header past Clarke in the Oxford goal to seal the tie.
The visitors did look to salvage some pride, Capaldi sending a shot wide, but they were always huffing and puffing against a Leeds side who looked well in control and could have had more goals.

Friendly : Preston 1 Leeds 3

Leeds United manager Neil Warnock welcomed Paddy Kisnorbo into his starting line-up for the first time during pre-season while Paddy Kenny and Luciano Becchio also returned from minor injuries to take their places in the starting line-up for the trip to Preston North End.Kisnorbo started alongside Jason Pearce at centre back and the defenders had some early work to do as Preston started brightly - but it was Leeds who almost went in front inside five minutes when Luke Varney forced a good save from Thorsten Stuckmann. Preston also had to clear a powerful ball into the middle before Tom Lees could convert at the far post.
Kenny, who was wearing the captain's armband on his return, had more work to do than on his previous appearances during the early exchanges as Preston proved the biggest threat of pre-season. Ross McCormack had a free-kick deflected for a corner on the half-hour and the subsequent set play forced a save out of Stuckmann, but there was litte in the way of clear cut chances or goalmouth action during the opening 30 minutes.The breakthrough came just moments after the half-hour, though, when central defender Tom Lees showed great skill to bring the ball down just inside the penalty area before swivelling and smashing home a volley past Stuckmann.United also made a change during the first half with Kisnorbo, on his first appearance since late last year, playing the opening half hour or so before being replaced by Sam Byram. Lees reverted to centre-back, alongside Pearce. The game was the best test yet of the defence in terms of work, and the manager will have been more than pleased with solidity shown.The second half started in similar vein. Stuckmann made an early catch from Varney, but the home side continued to put United under a little pressure. But when the hosts did work an opening Jack King screwed a shot high and wide. And equaliser did come, though, 12 minutes into the half when John Mousinho scored with a good strike from just inside the box.The hour mark saw a re-shuffle for Leeds with a triple substitution that saw Danny Pugh, Adam Drury, and Andy Gray all introduced to proceedings.And it was 2-1 to Leeds on 66 minutes when Sam Byram scored his first goal in a senior shirt, Paul Green supplied the corner and Byram converted with a sweetly struck effort in front of over 2,500 travelling Leeds fans.Preston did come close to levelling again within a minute, but Kenny got down well to claw away a stooping header.United added a third with 10 minutes remaining, though. David Norris did well before the ball fell to Aidy White who scored with yet another good strike to leave Stuckmann with no chance.

McCormack Rescues Leeds

Ross McCormack struck what could prove to be one of the most vital goals of Simon Grayson’s time in charge of Leeds United five minutes into injury time, as the Whites overturned a one-goal deficit to come from behind and beat 10-man Burnley.
Going into the game with a three-game losing run behind him and a very public demand of promotion from outspoken owner Ken Bates hanging over his head, some could have been forgiven for writing Grayson’s Elland Road obituary when his men fell behind to Charlie Austin’s 69th-minute opener.

But the under-pressure boss was given a leg-up by Brian Easton’s own goal with four minutes left and, when it looked as though he would have to take a draw against 10 men back to his chairman, McCormack pounced on Lee Grant’s fumble of Andros Townsend’s long-range strike to send his manager on an emotional charge of celebration down the touchline.

The end result was perhaps harsh on Burnley, who had looked set to record an eighth win in nine games when Austin scored - his goal coming some 40 minutes after Kieran Trippier had been sent off for two bookings, both of which came for fouls on lively debutant Townsend.

But it was Leeds who had the last word, with top scorer McCormack coming off the bench to grab his 12th and most important of the season.

Grayson said after Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Barnsley that some players may never play for him again and he stayed true to his word, making five changes, although it was Burnley who started better with Austin spurning a one-on-one chance.

Leeds then lost captain Patrick Kisnorbo to a 14th-minute knee injury that forced Grayson into another reshuffle, and he was thankful to see Andy Lonergan turn Austin’s opportunistic 25-yard drive over as he changed his side around.

Burnley began to fade after that second Austin effort and Townsend in particular opted to try and swing momentum in favour of the home side. Tripper was the man in his sights and twice in the space of six minutes he torched past the full-back, with referee Mike Brown brandishing a yellow card on both occasions, with the second one perhaps only worthy of a warning.

In between the two bookings Townsend ran at the Burnley defence and drilled wide but, after that and Trippier’s dismissal, both sides seemed without idea and limped through to the interval.

Leeds displayed a shade more invention at the start of the second half, with Ramon Nunez twice putting in crosses that caused Grant problems and Townsend fizzing a strike over from the corner of the area.

Townsend was relentless in his pursuit of whoever was occupying Burnley’s right-back berth and, after he drew a foul and a booking from David Edgar, Leeds mounted their first real spell of pressure which saw Brian Easton head away from under his own bar and Darren O’Dea then clip the top of the goal with a looping header.

Ben Mee then received the fourth yellow card of the afternoon awarded for a foul on Townsend, and from the subsequent free-kick, Nunez worked Grant for the first time.

Leeds rookie Zac Thompson then saw a volley scrape past Grant’s post from 25 yards, before Austin went one better at the other end, giving Burnley the lead out of nothing.

A long ball from Dean Marney fell to him in the box and, as the Leeds defence held back, he snapped at a half-volley on the turn and found Lonergan’s bottom corner with his 10th of the season.

Leeds were initially stunned, but got a fortuitous break when Easton turned Adam Clayton’s corner beyond Grant with four minutes left and then, when a draw looked on, McCormack pounced to offer his boss some welcome relief.

Townsend’s 25-yarder should have been a regulation save for Grant, but the keeper shelled the ball and McCormack did the rest.

Match Report Watford 1-1 Leeds

Simon Grayson was forced into shuffling his pack for the trip to Watford with skipper Jonny Howson sidelined with a knee injury and Michael Brown still feeling the effects of a knock on the ankle.The changes meant for a change of system with Danny Pugh operating in a central midfield role, alongside Adam Clayton while Andy Keogh partnered Becchio in the front line.It was a quite an open start to the contest with both sides looking to drive forward when in possession. Watford got in a couple of early crosses while Robert Snodgrass had one shot blocked when he was given space on the edge of the box.Pugh also lifted a shot over the top in the 11th minute after more good attacking play by Leeds. At the other end Marvin Sordell screwed a shot wide after he found space to create an opening.United threatened again when Snodgrass was again given space, but his shot from distance was wide of the mark. Snodgrass also delivered two good corners, the second of which Tom Lees narrowly failed to connect with.United won a series of corners, but when Watford broke after one Leeds attack, Michael Kightly was able to capitalise on some sloppy defending and after advancing, he lashed the ball beyond the reach of Alex McCarthy.While Leeds had been good enough in possession, Watford looked equally good with the ball and were causing United problems with good movement.United did have an opportunity to get back in the game on 40 minutes, but Snodgras bent a shot wide of the past when, despite goalkeeper Scott Loach being drawn, there were four Watford men on the line.Luciano Becchio was also denied following a good cross from the right as the game headed towards half-time, whjile Andy Keogh looked to referee Eddie Ilderton after going down in the box while trying to force an opening.Lloyd Sam also put an effort wide right on the stroke of half-time after more good work by Keogh.The second half opened up as a stop-start affair. Becchio did lift an ambitious attempt over the top from distance while the hosts also sent a shot wide of the mark after again finding good space.McCarthy also had to get down well to save a low effort from Troy Deeney while Sordell lifted a shot over the bar after capitalising on some sloppiness at the back.
Shortly after the hour, Grayson made a double change, introducing Mika Vayrynen and Ross McCormack. It also prompted a change in system with Aidy White and Snodgrass moving into advanced wide roles.There was no immediate impact with the changes as Watford continued to look the more likely side. White was thwarted on one advancing run and with 15 minutes remaining Snodgrass was crowded out as he looked to progress on the edge of the box.But as the game headed towards the final five minutes, United were looking increasingly unlikely in the bid to force an equaliser with Watford looking well organised and resolute.A rare hashed clearance allowed Becchio a half-chance, but the striker's first time shot was wide of the mark.And with two minutes remaining, Sordell went down under pressure from Kisnorbo and Watford were awarded a penalty. Sordell stepped up, but McCarthy got a vital fingertip and pushed his penalty onto the post.Moments later, the United keeper made another excellent save and Leeds were facing three minutes of added time in the hope of salvaging a draw.But there was drama in the 94th minute at the other end when Mika Vayrynen was brought down and Ilderton awarded Leeds a penalty. Snodgrass was the man who stepped up and he made no mistake in smashing home an equaliser with the last kick of the game to send the 2,000 travelling fans into ecstasy.

Kisnorbo "We showed character"

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Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo says the side showed their character in last weekends win at Leicester City. Leeds went into the game on the back of a 5-0 home defeat by Blackpool and Kisnorbo says the 1-0 win at Leicester showed the strength of character within the squad.Speaking in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Kisnorbo said, "We showed the character of the team and the players we have in our squad at Leicester. Those sort of results against Blackpool sometimes happen and it was like a freak. But the character we showed to get a result against a team that has spent fifteen or so million pounds was quite remarkable and we did a great job."We did our basics correctly and that was the difference. Our game plan we worked on all week came through."Kisnorbo is enjoying a run in the side again following the injury to Darren O`Dea recently.The Australia international has been missing from the side in mid September following his sending off against Bristol City.Youngsters Darren O`Dea and Tom Lees have struck up an excellent partnership in the centre of the Leeds defence.Lees missed the Leicester game through suspension and it gave another experienced defender a chance.Andy O`Brien lined up alongside Kisnorbo at Leicester and the pair put in a tremendous performance to limit the Leicester attack to very few chances.With O`Dea and Lees expected to be back in the squad for Leeds next trip to Burnley, it gives Leeds boss Simon Grayson a welcome headache in the centre of the Leeds defence.

O'Dea Misses Blackpool Game

Simon Grayson has ruled Darren O'Dea out of tonight's Elland Road clash with Blackpool.The Republic of Ireland international was withdrawn from the action during Sunday's game against Cardiff City after suffering with dizziness and blurred vision."Darren won't play on Wednesday," confirmed the boss. "He was suffering with dizziness and blurred vision on Sunday and is seeing the doctor."He had taken a bang against Birmingham - it wasn't concussion, it was dizziness - but he was given the all-clear by the doctor and he declared himself fit. He took another knock on Sunday and we brought him off."Head injuries are something you have to have take very seriously so he won't play on Wednesday and he will be a doubt for Sunday. He is the Republic of Ireland squad after that and obviously he will be very keen to play so we'll all be guided by the doctor."O'Dea was replaced by Paddy Kisnorbo on Sunday against Cardiff, while Andy O'Brien, Leigh Bromby, and Alex Bruce are all available to come into contention."Losing Darren is disappointing because he's done really well over these past few weeks and formed a good partnership with Tom Lees," said the boss."Paddy came in and did very well on Sunday and Andy O'Brien has shown a real positive attitude and has done well over the past few weeks. He's looking strong and sharp."

Match Preview: Leeds United v Man United

Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo serves a one-match ban following his sending off against Bristol City.Manager Simon Grayson may rotate his side given that they play Brighton in the Championship on Friday.Manchester United are set to play a host of youngsters such as Paul Pogba and Will Keane.
Experienced strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen are expected to feature, but Chris Smalling has been ruled out with a groin injury.Manchester United travel across the Pennines with revenge against bitter rivals Leeds at the forefront of their minds.Embarrassing defeats have been thin on the ground during Sir Alex Ferguson's near 25-year tenure as Manchester United boss, but the 1-0 home defeat by Leeds in the FA Cup third round 18 months ago left a sour taste for him and Red Devils' fans.
Jermaine Beckford wrote his name into Elland Road folklore with the only goal in that game, and Leeds boss Simon Grayson has a squad of players desperate to get the chance to do something similar on Tuesday night.
Grayson would dearly love this fixture to be played twice a season in the Premier League and while his focus is solely on promotion to the top flight, he knows how much another victory over Manchester United would mean to every single Leeds fan.

Match Report Leeds 4 Hull City 1

Simon Grayson was forced into changing his starting line-up once again with Jonny Howson and Max Gradel both suspended, and Leigh Bromby injured.Aidy White made his first start of the season, at left-back, Darren O'Dea moved to centre-back, Ramon Nunez lined up on the left of a four-man midfield and Andy Keogh came in for his debut up front alongside Ross McCormack.Keogh, on loan from Wolves, almost made an immediate impact when he got a touch on a Robert Snodgrass free-kick and Paddy Kisnorbo saw his header cleared away. Moments later, Snodgrass tested Peter Gulacsi with a stinging shot.United also carved out an opening on the counter after Andy Lonergan collected a corner and moved the ball out quickly. Nunez raced away and fed McCormack, whose shot was deflected to safety by Joe Dudgeon.
Lonergan was again showing good command of his area and when Hull won a corner, Kisnorbo doing well, the keeper punched clear.United should have gone ahead on 15 minutes. Nunez beat Gulacsi from distance, but the shot came off the underside of the bar and McCormack was unable to keep his follow-up header down.

Moments later, McCormack was celebrating, though, when he got on the end of a Snodgrass cross and followed up his initial header, which was parried, to make it 1-0 to Leeds. It was United's first goal from open play in the league and was a well worked affair with the striker showing good instinct.
While McCormack was delighted to get off the mark, Keogh was also looking a threat and he curled a shot wide within three minutes of Leeds taking the lead.
United were dealt a blow on 21 minutes, however, when a cross came in from the Hull right and Tom Lees poked the ball into his own goal. Lees was unfortunate in that there was a Hull man coming in at the far post, and the defender had to make contact with the cross.
The equaliser saw the game level out somewhat after United's early domination, and Lonergan had to collect a couple of balls into the box after Hull got themselves in good wide positions.
United did have another opportunity leading up to half-time when Keogh again did well and McCormack saw his shot blocked by James Chester, but the goal did come moments later.

It was Lees who was the scorer when he blasted the ball home from the edge of the box on 40 minutes after Gulacsi failed to hold a ball into the box. It was the defender's first goal for the club.
United also had the ball in the net two minutes before the break when McCormack delivered a great finish - but his effort was ruled out for offside.
And Leeds had the ball in the net at the start of the second half and there was no doubt this time. Snodgrass was the scorer with a free-kick which he bent around the Hull wall.
It was the perfect start to the half and gave Leeds a two-goal cushion in a game for the first time since March.
Unsurprisingly, Hull looked to show some urgency after the goal, but United were looking fairly comfortable. When Aaron McLean got an opportunity in front of goal on the hour, Lonergan proved equal to the header and made another good save.
At the other end, United carved out a decent opening and Nunez fired over the bar from distance.
The Honduran made no mistake on 69 minutes when he got on the end of another flowing move forward and hammered the ball beyond Gulacsi to make it 4-1.
United were virtually home and hosed, although the visitors didn't give up the ghost and Matty Fryatt spooned a decent chance over the top for Hull. McLean also fired wide with a first time effort.
The final 15 minutes or so were a test for United to ensure no further goals were conceded as the visitors looked to salvage some pride from the contest.
But Leeds were always in with a chance of adding to the tally, and Snodgrass grazed the bar on 85 minutes with a shot from just outside of the box.
And that was virtually it as United eased towards a confidence boosting first league victory of the season, although Adam Clayton almost rounded off another fine performance at the heart of the midfield by adding a fifth, but he was denied by a Hull defender when the goal was beckoning.

Leeds 3 Newcastle 2

Simon Grayson handed home debuts to Andy Lonergan and Michael Brown for his side's final warm-up game of pre-season. Andy O'Brien made his first start of the summer and Robert Snodgrass returned from injury for the visit of Newcastle. Trialists Alex Mendy and Boldizsar Bodor were also named among the substitutes.Leeds started the game on the front foot and were in front inside five minutes, courtesy of Paddy Kisnorbo. Snodgrass swung in a free-kick with his left foot and Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster failed to make a clean catch, spilling the ball to Kisnorbo, who celebrated his first Elland Road appearance since March 2010 with the simplest of tap-ins.Moments later, Ross McCormack cashed in on another mistake, this time from Steve Taylor, but his cross was just too deep for an advancing Jonny Howson. It was certainly a positive start from Leeds, and Newcastle were being put under some real pressure.
The United goalscorer was soon in the thick of the action at the other. O'Brien made a great challenge to deny Demba Ba, and as the Newcastle striker got to his feet quickly, with only Lonergan to beat, Kisnorbo came crashing in to win the ball for Leeds.
And United were only denied a second goal on 14 minutes when Max Gradel headed home a free-kick but was deemed to be in an offside position.

On 20 minutes, Joey Barton created a good chance for Newcastle when he held off Kisnorbo, but Ba couldn't get the decisive touch on his cross.
But it was Leeds who threatened again the half-hour and Forster had to be alert to tip a Gradel shot over the bar after more good play by United.
Moments later, Newcastle were level, though. Taylor converted a corner kick at the far post leaving the United players appealing for a foul on Michael Brown.
As the game edged towards half-time, there was a short stoppage while Gradel received treatment to his thigh after being caught by a lunge from Yohan Cabaye. Leeds also had what appeared to be a good penalty shout for a handball in the moments leading up to the break, but after hesistating, the referee waved played on.
Despite Newcastle pulling a goal back, the United manager will have been pleased with the first half display from his players, and there was an opening at the start of the second period when Howson made an advancing run before shooting just wide.

Brown also had an early shot at Forster when he tried his luck from distance before Howson again threatened and had a shot deflected for a corner.
The majority were almost celebrating moments later when substitute Leigh Bromby almost converted a good cross from Adam Clayton.
Grayson made a flurry of changes during the second half, and it was one of those, Lloyd Sam, who restored the lead on 67 minutes. The former Charlton winger won the ball on the by-line and scored from the tightest of angles to make it 2-1.
And Sam almost created a third with United's very next attack - but his low pull-back was just too powerful for Ramon Nunez to get a touch on.
At the other end, Lonergan was called upon to make a good save to deny Joey Barton as Newcastle created a rare chance. They did so again 76 on minutes, and Lonergan was beaten by a powerful strike from Haris Vuckic after a pull-back from the by-line.
Parity lasted barely 85 minutes, though. and Elland Road erupted when Billy Paynter was the man who got up at the far post to convert a cross from the right.
It Paynter's first Elland Road goal and his first of pre-season, and it was enough to secure victory in the final pre-season game.

Becchio Has Surgery

Leeds United will have to start the new Championship season without striker Luciano Becchio.

The Argentine forward, who scored 20 goals last season, has undergone surgery on his hamstring injury.

Manager Simon Grayson told the club website: "Luciano has had the operation and will miss the start of the season."

No time scale has been given on Becchio's return but Leeds are already without fellow striker Davide Somma for six to nine months.

Better news for Grayson is the return to fitness of defender Patrick Kisnorbo and midfielder Lloyd Sam, both of whom are in contention for Saturday's friendly at Sheffield Wednesday.

The pair, along with striker Robert Snodgrass, missed the midweek win at Rochdale.

"Paddy Kisnorbo and Lloyd Sam both trained on Thursday," Grayson said.

"Snodgrass is touch and go, and there's one or two with knocks who might not make it.

"Billy Paynter has tonsillitis as well so he won't be playing."

Motherwell 1 Leeds United 2

Having beaten Falkirk in midweek, United manager Simon Grayson was again looking to utilise his full squad for the game against SPL side Motherwell.And it was Leeds who created the first opening of the game when Lloyd Sam sent over a cross which Billy Paynter puled back across goal inside the first minute.It was a lively opening to the game and Paul Rachubka was also called into action inside the opening five minutes to make a decent save at the near post after good build-up play by the home side.Motherwell midfielder Keith Lasley received a stern talking to early in the game following an altercation that was ended by an intervening Paddy Kisnorbo.Leeds were backed by a terrific away following at Fir Park, too, giving some atmosphere to the game.Michael Brown and Adam Clayton were the sitting central midfielders for United with Jonny Howson being given licence to play in an advanced role.And Clayton was the instigator of what appeared to be the opening goal. The youngster whipped in a cross from the left and Paynter poked the ball home from close range - but the effort was ruled out by an offside flag.
Moments later, Motherwell mounted a raid down their left and Steven Hammell smashed a shot against the post after cutting in at an angle.
As the half wore on the rain started to fall, making the pitch greasy, and two Motherwell defenders may have struggled a little when they combined to send Sam sprawling on 34 minutes to win a penalty for United.
Ross McCormack, Scotland international and one-timer Motherwell favourite, stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his effort was saved by Darren Randolph, who dived low to his left.
Motherwell had an opportunity themselves after Kisnorbo was somewhat harshly penalised on the edge of the box, but the resultant free-kick was over the head of Paul Rachubka and over the bar.
The hosts did get their noses in front on 39 minutes, though, when Chris Humphrey found space on the right and his low cross was converted by Jamie Murphy who slid the ball home at the far post.
Just over 60 seconds later, McCormack had the ball in the net at the other end after good work by Sam, but the whistle had already gone for an infringement.
And shortly before half-time, Aidy White embarked on a run that saw him carry the ball a full 50 yards before his pull-back cross was cleared over his own bar by Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson.
Grayson made four changes at half-time with Alex Bruce, Ben Parker, Max Gradel and Rob Snodgrass all being handed run-outs. The rain also returned with vengance at the start of the second period as the game kicked off in a torrential downpour.
The home side started brightly and after Paul Connolly cut out one cross, Alex Bruce headed away a corner from underneath his own bar.
But Bruce was involved at the other end moments later when he had a header turned over the bar after McCormack saw a shot turned wide.
Snodgrass was also denied with a header, following a good cross from Gradel after Paynter had charged down a poor clearance.
Gradel threatened again on 60 minutes when he had a shot deflected to Randolph in the Motherwell goal, but the home side came storming back up the park and Rachubka showed good command of his box by coming out to punch the ball clear.
Zac Thompson was next to be denied after a move he started and finished. He released McCormack with a good ball and collected the return before being denied by Randolph. Thye Motherwell goalkeeper also pushed the resultant corner over the top under pressure from Snodgrass.
But the next corner proved decisive as Randolph failed to collect and Bruce was on hand to convert from close range to make it 1-1.
Motherwell responded when Rachubka had to save a Michael Higdon header and on the break Thompson saw a shot deflected wide for United. The hosts again failed to deal with the set-play and Randolph had tol be alert to make an instinctive block to deny Bruce once again.
Moments later, United were in front, though, courtesy of a stunning solo effort from Ramon Nunez. The Honduran showed great skill to weave his way through on goal before working an opening for himself to slip the ball home to make it 2-1.
Having surrendered leads like this last season, Grayson was looking for his troops to close the game out and both Rachubka and Parker made good clearances when Motherwell came forward.
Gradel almost created a third, but was denied by a good challenge when McCormack was waiting in the middle, while at the other end substitute goalkeeper Alex Cairns warmed his hands by collecting a free-kick, curled in from just outside of the area. Cairns also made another decent save late on.
And that proved to be the last real action of what was another impressive pre-season outfit as United ended the week in Scotland by recording a second successive victory north of the border.

Falkirk 0 Leeds 2

United manager Simon Grayson used the majority of his squad for the opening game of the summer, Davide Somma, Andy O'Brien, Luciano Becchio, and Fede Bessone missing through injury.The boss planned to play almost two seperate XIs, and his first half side included summer signings Michael Brown and Paul Rachubka, along with Paddy Kisnorbo and the returning Ben Parker.The opening exchanges saw United play some decent football against the Scottish first division outfit and there were useful touches by the likes of Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam.In typical pre-season fashion, there were no real chances early doors although United goalkeeper Paul Rachubka did get down well to stop a Kallum Higginbotham effort inside the opening 15 minutes.United did come close on 25 minutes when Robert Snodgrass curled a free-kick into the side-netting and moments later Billy Paynter shot just wide after great work by Nunez.The lively Sam also went close when he saw his shot turned for a corner, but Leeds did go ahead on 36 minutes when a Nunez cross was turned in by Falkirk defender Thomas Scobbie.All in all it was a useful 45 minutes against a side who looked like quite lively, and as predicted Grayson made a number of changes at half-time, although not the predicted wholesale re-shuffle.There were six changes with Alex Bruce, Leigh Bromby, Aidy White, Jonny Howson, Max Gradel, and Ross McCormack were all introduced.United started the second half with some crisp passing, and it was 2-0 on 53 minutes when Aidy White fed Lloyd Sam who crossed for Snodgrass to head home from close range.Snodgrass almost repaid that favour moments later when his cross from deep found Sam, but the Falkirk keeper was equal to the header.Grayson made another raft of changes on 63 minutes and almost immediately United were denied a third goal by a goal-line clearance after McCormack swung the ball into the middle.The changes prompted a mass re-shuffle that saw Zac Thompson and Nathan Turner in the middle of the park, Lewis Turner at right-back, White moved to the right side of the midfield, and Tom Lees returned to the fray at left-back.The final 20 minutes or so saw the fluency disappear slowly with both sides have made so many changes, but Leeds still had some decent possession at times and showed good movement.With around six minutes left on the clock, Gradel was withdrawn after taking a knock and United headed into the final moments with just 10 men on the field.In the final minute, Falkirk did have a couple of opportunites when Higginbotham came within inches with a strike from distance before Scobbie headed into the arms of Cairns.
And that proved to be the final action as United picked up a 2-0 win to kick-off pre-season.

Kisnorbo Sign new Contract

Leeds United defender Paddy Kisnorbo has pledged his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract.The Australian international's new deal comes as a massive boost as Simon Grayson's squad head off for the pre-season tour of Scotland on Sunday.Paddy enjoyed a clean sweep at the club's Player of the Year awards in 2010, but was sidelined for almost 14 months following an Achilles injury.The 30-year-old featured for the final 10 minutes of last season, coming off the bench in the 2-1 win at Queens Park Rangers, and continued his rehab over the summer before returning to pre-season training with United last week.The United boss said: "We're delighted to get things finalised with Paddy. He's had a tough time, but we know what he is all about and what he brings to the team. He is a very important member of our squad.
"The deal shows the commitment of both the club and Paddy and it's great to have him back with everyone after being out for so long."

Grayson:“Paddy recognises the loyalty we’ve shown in him,”

Patrick Kisnorbo was poised to resume training with Leeds United today, with boss Simon Grayson insisting the defender is happy with his contractual arrangement.Kisnorbo was due at United’s Thorp Arch training ground this morning after a weekend dominated by talk of rival interest in the Australian international.
Crystal Palace are rumoured to be lining up an offer for the centre-back, whose two-year contract at Elland Road expired last Thursday, and have joined Brighton in tracking the 30-year-old.
Leeds offered Kisnorbo a short-term deal at the start of the summer and want him to prove his fitness after a 13-month fight against a ruptured Achilles tendon.Grayson, however, wants to tie the defender to a longer deal at the end of pre-season and United’s manager said Kisnorbo, who is technically a free agent, had no complaint with the club’s approach.

“Paddy recognises the loyalty we’ve shown in him,” Grayson said. “He realises we can’t afford to take a punt on a two-year contract, and neither can any other team. When a player’s been out for as long as he has, you can’t run that risk – unless you’ve got bundles of cash and you’re not worried about losing X-amount off your budget.

“Paddy’s aware of that and that’s why it’s all been very open. If he proves his fitness then there’ll be a deal to be done, I’m sure of it.”

Grayson plans to involve Kisnorbo in United’s friendlies and expects to have the Australian fit and available for the start of the Championship term.

“If everything goes to plan and he doesn’t have any setbacks then I see him being involved in the whole of pre-season,” Grayson stressed

Kisnorbo out for the Season

Patrick Kisnorbo has been ruled out for the rest of the season after conceding that he is unlikely to recover from injury in time to play. Kisnorbo is still to resume full training almost 12 months after rupturing an Achilles tendon and United manager Simon Grayson does not expect to see him return ahead of Leeds’ final league game against Queens Park Rangers on May 7.
The Australian international has undergone a long period of rehabilitation since he suffered the injury in a League One fixture against Millwall last March, and Leeds sent him to America for specialist treatment before Christmas amid concerns about the speed of his recovery.

Chairman Ken Bates subsequently stated that United believed they had “cracked” Kisnorbo’s problem, expressing hope that last season’s player of the year would be available for the Championship run in. However, yesterday Grayson all but dismissed the possibility of fielding him in the weeks ahead.

“He’s doing his rehab and a bit of running here and there,” said Grayson. “But at the back of our minds we’ve ruled him out for the rest of the season.

“That’s not to say that he won’t get back, but we don’t want to rush him.

“It would be a bonus for us if he plays any football. He’s been out for so long that you get complications along the way if you’re not careful, or if you rush him back. For the sake of a few weeks, you might as well leave it.”

Confirmation of Kisnorbo’s condition raises fresh doubts about his future, with the centre-back’s contract at Elland Road due to expire in June.

Grayson previously promised that the club would address Kisnorbo’s deal when the 29-year-old regained full fitness, but discussions over an extension are unlikely to take place until the summer.