Clarke Carlisle returns to Loftus Road on Saturday for the first time since his free transfer from Queens Park Rangers to Leeds United in June.

And the central defender accepts that he and his team-mates are playing for their future at the club.

Carlisle, a scorer in last week's 2-1 win at Watford, gets another chance alongside York-born Matthew Kilgallon in central defence because skipper Paul Butler is still out on doctor's orders. Butler was knocked unconscious and swallowed his tongue against Sheffield United on April 5.

Carlisle said: "We want to win our last four matches to give us a launch-pad for next season and we want to make sure we are still in the squad.

"Undoubtedly there will be some shuffling by the manager at the end of the season, so it will be interesting to see if the lads can stake their claim.

"I enjoyed my time at QPR, so if I score against them my celebrations will be muted. I may just manage a smile."

Leeds trounced QPR 6-1 at Elland Road in November, but Brian Deane, who scored four goals that day, has since left for Sunderland.

Manager Kevin Blackwell said: "Arguably that was our finest display of total football this season, but I have made the players aware that the opposition will be looking for revenge.

"Paul Butler and David Healy are both out injured but I may make one or two other changes because I've got four games in which to look at people and formulate my transfer targets for next season."

Healy was due to have a scan on an ankle today and has not yet been ruled out for the rest of the season, though if ligament damage is found, time is not on his side.

Leeds want Blackburn left-back Michael Gray to take a pay cut so he can make his loan move to Elland Road permanent in the summer.

The former England defender, 30, has made a big impact since his loan spell started in early February and Blackwell said: "Michael knows we would like to talk to him and his agent about a permanent move but it is in their hands and Blackburn's.

"We cannot and will not pay the wages he is on at Blackburn. We are more prudent with our finances at the club now, so if he is to sign for us on a permanent transfer it will have to be on prudent wages.

"When Michael plays, with all that experience, we look much stronger down the left side."

Updated: 09:57 Friday, April 15, 2005