DEAN Kiely returns to Yorkshire tomorrow boasting a Premiership best.

The former York City shot-stopper has more saves to his credit this season in the top-flight than any other number one.

As the final line of defence for Charlton Athletic, Kiely has consistently produced the goods, as evidenced by his position out in front of the current Opta ratings.

Next up for the 31-year-old to repel is the much-vaunted front-line of Leeds United, who entertain the Addicks at Elland Road tomorrow, kick-off 3pm.

After suffering a tail-spin in form during which they have spiralled from Premiership pole position at the turn of the year to sweating on the prospect of even losing out on Champions League qualificatiuon, Leeds are desperate to return to winning ways.

In their last five League games United have collected just two points. So the onus is on David O'Leary's charges to restore their flagging domestic challenge.

Morale underwent a significant boost in Holland, where they were excellent value for a goal-less draw in their UEFA Cup fourth round, first leg encounter away to PSV Eindhoven.

Australian ace mark Viduka was paired with Rothwell-born raider Alan Smith, available for European duty though serving a ban on the home front.

Tomorrow Leeds' striking permutations go back in the mixer as far as Smith is concerned.

He sits out the visit of Charlton as he completes suspension, but Leeds will be boosted by the return of £11million man Robbie Fowler. He was ineligible for the Eindhoven outing after previously appearing in the Champions League with his previous club Liverpool earlier in the season.

Kiely represents a daunting last-man standing barrier for messrs Fowler, Viduka, and the goalkeeper's Republic of Ireland team-mate Robbie Keane.

Kiely's stonewall resolve is not new to north Yorkshire football followers, especially fans of York City.

It was at the Bootham Crescent club where Kiely first learned his trade of defiance.

After succeeding the evergreen Chris Marples on gloves duty Kiely made the number one position his own in 1992 before a move to Bury in 1996.

That split was not entirely amicable, but City fans know well the value of the man, who, after moving to Charlton for £2million in 1999, won hisfirst full international cap for the Republic of Ireland.

As a Minsterman he forged a enough clean sheets to satisfy several Chinese laundries, including equalling the club record of 20 clean sheets during the 1993-94 season.

Kiely was also as much responsible for City's shoot-out promotion play-off triumph over Crewe Alexandra as was spot-kick king Wayne Hall at Wembley eight years ago.

Kiely has come on leaps and bounds at Charlton.

He is now established as one of the Premiership's leading shot-stoppers and is integral to the Addicks' bid to retain their regained elite status.

Of the Leeds' strikeforce Fowler has been the most potent, impressing even during the poor run of results.

His haul of seven goals in 11 starts is a clear demonstration of just what persuaded O'Leary to up his spending to close on £100million since taking charge at Elland Road.

Joining Smith on the suspended sieldines will be Danny Mills and Lee Bowyer, whose brief first-team fling in Holland did much to set up next Thursday's return at Elland Road against PSV.

The duo resumed the right-wing partnership, which is not only formidable as a defensive unit, but a major threat going forward.

Gary Kelly will return to right back in place of Mills, while Bowyer's midfield berth will likely go again to David Batty, who was on the bench for the UEFA Cup collision.

United were also making a fitness check on inspirational midfielder Olivier Dacourt.

Still wearing a special harness to protect the collarbone he broke in December, Dacourt came in for several hefty tackles in Eindhoven.

Updated: 11:04 Saturday, February 23, 2002