Leeds United V Hull City Pre-View

Leeds' new loan signing Andy Keogh is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international, signed initially on loan until January, is a likely starter as manager Simon Grayson is still without strikers Luciano Becchio, Billy Paynter and Davide Somma, while winger Max Gradel is suspended.Becchio (hamstring) and long-term absentee Somma (knee) have yet to play this season and Paynter missed out on Saturday with a thigh strain.Leeds will also be without suspended skipper Jonny Howson. The midfielder and Gradel were both sent off during Saturday's home defeat to Middlesbrough for two yellow card offences and will sit out respective one-game bans.Grayson could turn to Ramon Nunez and Lloyd Sam, who both stepped off the substitutes' bench against Middlesbrough, while young defenders Tom Lees, 20, and Zac Thompson, 18, will be hoping to feature again after making their debuts at the weekend.

Hull manager Nigel Pearson will pick from a virtually full-strength squad.

Defender Liam Rosenior (knee), striker Dele Adebola (back) and Aaron Mclean (calf) all returned to action as the Tigers secured their first win of the season at Ipswich.

Rosenior started at Portman Road and is expected to retain his place, while Adebola and Mclean were both late substitutes' and may have to settle for a place on the bench again.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare said: "There's a few aches and pains and niggles, but they all reported in [on Sunday].

"They'll train again and there are a couple who might just do a bit less, but we'll wait and see how they are on Tuesday morning."

Defender Paul McShane (calf) and winger Cameron Stewart (knee ligaments) are still unavailable.

Grayson:A striker isn't a priority

Leeds could find themselves with a threadbare front-line come the start of the season, but Simon Grayson isn't interested in adding any more strikers to his ranks.

The Whites suffered a significant setback earlier this week after Davide Somma was ruled out of action for seven months with a torn cruciate ligament.

Meanwhile, last season's top-scorer Luciano Becchio could also be unavailable for the beginning of the Npower Championship campaign, should he need surgery for a hamstring complaint.Grayson, however, does not feel he needs to bolster his goalscoring ranks, but will instead concentrate on reinforcing other areas of his squad.

"A striker isn't a priority," Grayson told the club's official website. "It's a blow to be without Dave and equally with Luciano depending on how we go, but we have other players who can step in there so it's not a priority for me.

"It's other places in the squad I need to develop and bring in, and we'll continue to look at those avenues.

"It has been a frustrating time in terms of what we're trying to do and I can understand the fans being frustrated.

"We have a good group here who can compete in the Championship, what we need is a bit more depth.

"And as much as you would like to add to your squad at the start of pre-season, you are dictated to by other clubs and players. It happens to everyone."

Becchio Injury Bomb Shell

Leeds United face the prospect of starting the new season without their top two strikers. Luciano Becchio looks doubtful for the start of the season after a reoccurrence of the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the end of last season.Becchio hasn`t featured in pre season after the reoccurrence of the injury whilst on the pre season tour of Scotland.Leeds boss Simon Grayson thinks the Argentinian looks doubtful for the start of the season but is not yet ruling it out.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Grayson said,"His hamstring is a bit of a concern at the moment, we obviously have to keep assessing the situation.
"He basically ruptured his tendon at the end of last season. We gave it throughout the summer to try to heel but he broke down about a week ago when we were up in Scotland.
"We`ve got to decide very shortly, do we try and let it heel again or get him the operation he could have had at the end of last season.
"The longer it goes on the more doubtful he is for the start of the season but we will give him every opportunity.
"If he`s not ready for the start of the season then we will try and get him back as quick as possible."

The news comes as a blow just days after fellow striker Davide Somma was ruled out for a lengthy period with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Becchio Still Injured O'brien Doubtful

Leeds United will again be without last season’s top scorer Luciano Becchio for tonight’s pre-season friendly at Rochdale.Becchio, who missed the club’s two games in Scotland last week, is still troubled by the hamstring injury he suffered towards the end of the last campaign and won’t be considered for the first of the club’s pre-season games on English soil.Becchio and defender Andy O’Brien (side strain) returned home early from Scotland for treatment to their injuries and striker Davide Somma’s cruciate ligament injury means he will be a long-term absentee.O’Brien has an outside chance of returning against Rochdale and is added to the squad which saw action in the wins over Falkirk and Motherwell.

United have been working hard in the hope of adding to their squad, however Coventry are refusing to part with midfielder and captain Sammy Clingan, 27, the Northern Ireland international who has reportedly been interesting Elland Road manager Simon Grayson.

Wigan are the latest club to be linked with Robert Snodgrass after United rejected a bid from Norwich but United are keen to hold on to the Scotland international winger.

Meanwhile, United’s game at Leicester, originally due on Saturday, November 5 has been moved to Sunday, November 6 (3pm) to avoid clashing with a televised rugby union game involving Leicester Tigers, who share the Walkers Stadium.

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.

Crystal Palace 1 Leeds 0

Crystal Palace took a huge stride toward securing their Championship status with a win against play-off hopefuls Leeds at Selhurst Park.The home side made the perfect start when Neil Danns' shot deflected in off Andy O'Brien of Leeds after 80 seconds.From the only other chance of a drab first half, Palace's Jermaine Easter headed a Nathaniel Clyne cross wide.Palace survived heavy Leeds pressure in the second half and ended with 10 men after Danns was sent off.It was a bitter end to the game for the midfielder, but sweetened by the crucial three points he had played a major part in earning.With Scunthorpe losing 2-1 at home to Millwall and Doncaster drawing 2-2 at Barnsley, the result leaves Palace six points clear of the relegation zone with two games to play, and a vastly superior goal difference to 22nd-placed Sheffield United.
For Leeds, defeat is a major blow to their hopes of securing the final play-off spot and they now trail sixth-placed Nottingham Forest by three points.In addition the two teams directly above them - Millwall and their next opponents Burnley - are a point better off than Leeds.The game had barely settled when Danns unleashed a fierce drive from the edge of the area that flew through a melee of players and beat Leeds keeper Kasper Schmeichel.However, despite the lively start and what was at stake, the game descended into a tepid affair with neither side producing much in the final third, barring Easter's miscued header just before the break.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson made two changes at half-time - Neil Kilkenny and Sanchez Watt replacing Jake Livermore and Paul Connolly - to positive effect.The visitors created far more in the second-half with Watt and late substitute Davide Somma going close from long range.But Palace dug and, despite Danns' late dismissal for two yellow cards, they held on for a vital win.

Loads of International call ups

Leeds United duo Neil Kilkenny and Davide Somma are set for more international action after receiving call-ups for their respective countries.
Killa is named in the Australia squad for their forthcoming friendly against Germany in Monchengladbach on Tuesday March 29.
The former Arsenal youngster was a member of the Socceroos squad which reached the final of the Asia Cup earlier this year.
And striker Davide is set to return to South Africa for his third international call-up for their game against Egypt on Saturday March 26 in Johannesburg.
The pair joined Ramon Nunez who has already been called-up by Honduras, and a host of other Leeds players could follow suit.
Max Gradel could be named in the Ivory Coast squad for the same period while Robert Snodgrass and Barry Bannan will both harbour hopes of a Scotland call-up for their game against Brazil at the Emirates.

SWANSEA 3 LEEDS 0

Simon Grayson recalled Davide Somma to his starting line-up in place of the suspended Bradley Johnson for the clash with the second placed Swans.
The Liberty Stadium was packed to the rafters for what was billed as big game in the race for promotion and United were backed by 3,000 travelling fans, many leaving at 5am due to the early kick-off.
It was a tentative opening, and after Alex Bruce made on early block, Stephen Dobbie hit the upright with a low strike after Nathan Dyer created the opening.
Dobbie and Dyer were early threats for the home side as Swansea looked to respond to the full house crowd by putting Leeds under pressure.
And Swansea went ahead in the 13th minute, courtesy of Scott Sinclair. Sinclair collected the ball out on the left and advanced before playing a neat one-two which saw Luke Moore slip the ball back into his path to apply the finishing touch.
Moments later, Bruce made another block to deny Dyer as United were forced firmly on the back foot by the hosts. Dobbie also caused problems with a mazy run that ended with Joe Allen sending a shot high over Kasper Schmeichel's bar.
Leeds only had limited possession during the opening 20 minutes and were guilty of dwelling on the ball and allowing Swansea to capitalise. That said, Robert Snodgrass did test the hands of Dorus de Vries after cutting in from the right, but as the home side broke quickly Schmeichel had to save from Dyer before another Swans effort was deflected for a corner.
United were having a hard time of it, and Alex Bruce found himself in the book for a challenge on Dyer, despite appearing to win the ball. Grayson was also spoken to by referee Phil Dowd for protesting about the decision.
Swansea didn't maintain their early pace, but they had another opportunity when an Ashley Williams header was pushed over following a corner. Andy O'Brien cleared the danger when the ball was returned to the box.
But Leeds were screaming for a penalty on 41 minutes when a Snodgrass shot was blocked Alan Tate, and United claimed a handball. Television pictures appeared to support the claim that Tate had used his hands and the protest continued to the extent that Neil Kilkenny was booked as he lined up to take the corner.
Leeds were looking more fired up, and Somma threatened on the stroke of half-time when he had a header touched onto the bar. Max Gradel also had a shot blocked by Williams.
United had gone in at the break on the front foot and Grayson was looking for his side to come out in the same manner after the re-start.
Tate had to make one early block and Somma was denied by an offside flag as Leeds made an encouraging start to the second period, but Schmeichel was still called upon to catch a Dyer header.
But just nine minutes into the half, Dowd wasted no time in awarding Swansea a penalty after Gradel was adjudged to have brought down Dyer. Sinclair was the taker and tucked the ball low to Schmeichel's right hand side to make it 2-0.
And Swansea immediately had a decent chance to further that advantage when Dobbie played in Luke Moore who was denied by the legs of Schmeichel.
United did have an opportunity to get back in the game on the hour, but de Vries got a touch on Somma's chip when the striker was clean through on goal.
On 61 minutes, Grayson made his first change when introduced Sanchez Watt in place of the hard-working Becchio. His first real involvement was to win a free-kick, and the subsequent booking of Angel Rangel, Swansea's first yellow of the game, brought a huge ironic cheer from the travelling fans.
But it was Schmeichel was called into action again on 67 minutes when he had to get down low to get a decisive touch on a Mark Gower free-kick. Sinclair also came within a whisker after showing great skill to turn and then shoot while advancing in the box.
A quickly taken free-kick gave hope as Somma looked to latch onto a incisive pass forward, but he was beaten to the ball by de Vries and Swansea immediately moved the ball the length of the field to score a third. Dobbie was again involved and Moore applied the finishing touch, stabbing a shot wide of Schmeichel and just inside the post.
Grayson responded with a double change, Ben Parker replacing George McCartney, who was walking a tightrope after being booked, and Billy Paynter came on for Snodgrass.
United did have an opportunity as the game headed towards its inevitable conclusion, Watt putting one wide after good work by Gradel and Paynter.
Not surprisingly, given the strength of United's support, the final 15 minutes were played out to a defiant backdrop of singing from the travelling masses. That chorus became even louder as the final whistle approached and not even the beating of a Swansea fans' drum could drown out the noise being made by the United faithful.
Paynter attempted to give the fans something else to shout about in the final moments when he had a shot on goal, but de Vries had his effort covered. Somma also tried his luck with an effort which went over the bar.
Two minutes were added on at the end of normal time, but it mattered little as United slipped to yet another defeat in a country that has proved to be something of a graveyard for the club over the past 30 years.

Leeds v Barnsley Team News

Leeds manager Simon Grayson is expected to name an unchanged side for the third game running against Barnsley.

Grayson has no new injury or suspension problems following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Norwich as his promotion-chasing side look to make it 20 league games with just one defeat.

Grayson said: "We have a few knocks here and there, but that's not surprising given how Saturday's game panned out.

"The lads did their recovery on Saturday and were back in on Sunday morning preparing for this game."

Striker Davide Somma is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after stepping off the bench to volley the equaliser with his first touch. It was the South African's 12th goal of the season.

Leeds, in sixth place, could go level on points with second-placed Nottingham Forest if other results go their way.

Davide Somma insists that he is not growing frustrated at his bench role for Leeds United.
The 25-year-old came off the bench to find the back of the net for the Whites in their 2-2 draw with Norwich on Saturday afternoon.
Somma has now notched up eleven goals in the Championship this term and despite not starting every game, he says he is happy at the Yorkshire club.

"I'd rather be a super starter than a super sub, but I'll take another goal, especially as it's the best I've scored all season," Somma said.

"You've got to respect the manager's decision. I'm here to help the team and whenever he calls I'm ready.

"I've not been beating down his door. Getting upset about it isn't going to help.

"Scoring goals keeps me going, I've just got to be patient and wait for my chances.

"I want to start but I'm just happy scoring goals, whether it's from the start or off the bench."

Its "Somma "time for South Africa

Leeds United striker Davide Somma continued his recent hot streak in front of goal when he scored his first international goal For South Africa.

Somma took just two minutes to give Africa the lead in their 2-0 friendly win over Kenya.

It was the 25 year olds first goal for his country in only his second appearance.

Somma could easily have added to his first goal when he hit the woodwork and was also denied when one on one with the Kenyan keeper.

Somma was substituted with seventeen minutes remaining after an impressive performance.

Steven Pienaar completed the scoring for Africa on the stroke of half time.

Leeds United 1 Coventry City 0 match report

Simon Grayson named an unchanged side for the visit of Coventry City in the wake of the 2-2 draw at Hull in midweek.
Coventry arrived without a league win since early December, but they had the first chance when Richard Wood fired wide from close range after United failed to clear a corner.
There were a few lively early challenges with both Robert Snodgrass and Carl Baker being on the wrong end of a couple during the first 15 minutes.
It wasn't the most entertaining opening, but Leeds almost nicked the lead on 18 minutes. Snodgrass delivered a good cross from the right and Luciano Becchio stabbed his shot just wide of the mark.
Moments later, Max Gradel used his trickery to cut in from the left, easing past Jordon Clarke brilliantly, but his shot was just wide of the mark.
Within two minutes, Gradel tied Clarke in knots again before delivering another effort which was just wide.
Just before the half-hour, Gradel again instigated an attack that saw Becchio turn a George McCartney cross inches wide of the upright.
United continued to take the game to Coventry, Gradel and McCartney were linking up superbly, and Bradley Johnson felt he had claims for a penalty when a cross appeared to hit the hand of a visiting defender.
McCartney also made a timely clearance at the other end shortly before the break as Coventry mounted a rare raid forward.

But it was the visitors who were defending again at the end of half, first clearing a Snodgrass then blocking a Paul Connolly delivery.
United also started the second half on the front foot, and again Coventry had some early defending to do.
Coventry's rearguard was eventually broken on 55 minutes, courtesy of Somma. Gradel supplied the cross from the right, Jonny Howson knocked into back into the box, and Somma converted from close range.
Moments later, Snodgrass went close for Leeds when Keiren Westwood pulled off a great save, but Coventry did fashion a half-chance on 64 minutes when Aaron Gunnarsson went close.
Somma thought he had put the game beyond doubt on 72 minutes when he latched on to a flick-on to deliver a superb chipped finish - but he was denied a second goal by an offside flag.
Alex Bruce was next to go close when Coventry failed to clear a corner, and the central defender turned on the edge of the box with a great strike which went just wide.
Tempers flared with 10 minutes remaining when Clarke was booked for Coventry after a late challenge on Gradel.
Both Neil Kilkenny and Billy Paynter were brought on as the game headed towards its closing stages, and barring one great save from Schmeichel to deny Clive Platt, the visitors offered little in the way of trouble.
Snodgrass almost added a second goal in stoppage time, but one proved enough as United maintained the pressure on the leading pack in the Championship.

Watt ruled out of Coventry game

Sanchez Watt has been ruled out of Leeds United's clash with Coventry City, with the injured winger facing another week-and-a-half on the sidelines.
Watt missed Tuesday night's game at Hull City due to a hamstring strain sustained against Portsmouth on January 22, and he will undergo further treatment in the coming days in an attempt to return to contention for United's fixture at Bristol City next weekend.

The on-loan Arsenal youngster saw a specialist last week and was not considered for selection at the KC Stadium, where striker Davide Somma took his starting place and scored United's second goal in a 2-2 draw.

Grayson admitted that Somma's performance – coming on the back of goalscoring outings against Scunthorpe United and Portsmouth – had enhanced his prospects of a second successive start this Saturday, but Watt will play no part against Coventry at Elland Road as Leeds work to resolve his latest injury worry.

Grayson said: "He tweaked his hamstring in the Portsmouth game and he's probably going to be out for another 10 days or so."

Watt had made a positive impression on United's Championship season since joining the club from Arsenal on a year-long loan in August, but his campaign has been riddled by fitness concerns.

An ankle problem sustained in October sidelined him until the turn of the year, and his latest injury has forced him back into the treatment room at a time when the 19-year-old appeared to be returning to prominence within Grayson's squad.

His absence in Hull offered a rare chance to Somma, pictured right, who made his first start since the middle of November and responded by scoring his 10th goal of the season.

Grayson altered an established formation to accommodate the South African international alongside Luciano Becchio up front, and three finishes in his last three league appearances have given Somma a strong
chance of retaining his place this weekend.

Grayson said: "We're got players who can come in and do a job when we need them to and Somma's shown his quality and his eye for goal again.

"We normally play with Luciano up front on his own but I felt that an extra striker would work Hull harder.

"Putting another midfielder in would have been a risk because Neil Kilkenny was only just back from the Asian Cup and I wasn't prepared to start him. Opportunities are there to be taken and Davide's done that again."