EDDIE GRAY underlined the importance of tonight's relegation dogfight with Leicester by declaring it on a par with the club's biggest games in Europe.

Describing it as "a game we must win", caretaker-manager Gray added: "It is as important as our European Cup final in 1975 and the Champions League semi-final three years ago.

"It is absolutely huge - a massive game in this club's history. The players know what it means. If we don't stay in the Premiership, decisions will probably be made for them."

Leicester trounced Leeds 4-0 at the Walkers Stadium in September and striker Alan Smith issued a public apology to the fans at the time.

Gray said: "I wasn't at the club when we lost at Leicester but I watched the game on television and you could see it was the first sign of the problems that were to come."

Mark Viduka has scored in four of his last five games, though he missed several good chances in the defeat at Birmingham, and Gray says: "I hope he scores another four in his next five. I'd settle for that.

"He usually comes up with goals at this stage of the season and he can do it again."

Norwegian Eirik Bakke has recovered from the thigh injury that has kept him out for three matches and challenges Stephen McPhail for a place in midfield.

Meanwhile, skipper Dominic Matteo has told Alan Smith to feel no guilt if he decides to leave Elland Road.

Smith has confirmed he is ready to quit if Leeds are relegated, and Matteo said: "No-one would hold it against Alan if he left. I certainly wouldn't.

"Whatever decision he makes I am sure the fans will back him 100 per cent because he has given so much for Leeds United.

"Alan is very consistent. He rarely has a bad game and the players respect what he does. No-one could possibly question his commitment to Leeds."

Michael Duberry has spoken of his unhappiness with reserve team football after recovering from a rib injury.

The former Chelsea central defender is fully fit and has had three reserve matches since returning to full training. He helped the reserves to a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Wakefield last week but is desperate for first team action.

Duberry, 28, has struggled to hold down a regular place ever since his £4.5million move from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 1999. He said: "I'm not happy with reserve team football.

"I'd rather be sitting with my girlfriend rubbing her belly because we're going to have a baby soon. I'd rather be at home with her on a Tuesday night, but I've got to do it.

"This is what Eddie Gray wants me to do to prove myself but I didn't come into football to play at places like Wakefield. I want to be a part of the Leeds team battling against relegation - not sitting on the sidelines when there's a relegation battle going on."

There will be a minute's silence before tonight's game to mark the fourth anniversary of the deaths of Leeds fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus in Istanbul, ahead of the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray.

Updated: 10:24 Monday, April 05, 2004