Hopes that Leeds United's Australian star Harry Kewell would return to action at Bootham Crescent tonight have been scuppered.

United were planning that he would make his comeback in their reserve game against Aston Villa (7pm) at York City's ground.

But the Young Player of the Year, who has been out all season after Achilles tendon surgery, is carrying a slight hamstring strain and manager David O'Leary is not going to risk playing him on what is likely to be a heavy pitch after prolonged overnight rain.

Hamstring trouble forced the 22-year-old to withdraw from the reserve squad that made the trip to Sunderland last week but was expected to play a significant part tonight.

Kewell, who is probably valued at over £25million in today's market, is claiming in his newspaper column in Australia that he could make a sooner-than-expected return to first-team action against Premiership surprise package Leicester City on Saturday.

That now seems highly unlikely now that he has been pulled out of tonight's game and also means that O'Leary probably won't risk using Kewell in Rome next Tuesday when Leeds meet Lazio in the UEFA Champions League.

Despite Kewell's absence, Leeds have named a side which includes Republic of Ireland international midfielder Stephen McPhail, who is battling his way back to fitness after picking up an injury in mid-October.

As usual, City are to open the main stand, enclosure and family stand at Bootham Crescent for tonight's FA Premier Reserve League match. Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for children and people over 65.

There are no reported problems with the pitch despite heavy overnight rain.

Rio Ferdinand, United's £18million British record signing is not expected to play as he has a slight groin strain.

Aston Villa have named a fairly young side for tonight's game and have not included David Ginola, who is still battling his way back to full fitness after being hit by injury since his move from Spurs.

The Villa attack will be led by Belgian international Gilles DeBilde, currently on a three-month loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Israeli international left wing back Najwan Ghrayib, who cost £1million from Happoel Haifa, will be looking to put on a good display after being told he can go on loan elsewhere. Finnish Under 21 player Peter Enkelman, who cost £200,000 from Turku, will be in goal.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand should be kept waiting for his first-team debut, according to Leeds United legend Norman Hunter.

Ferdinand is expected to throw off a groin injury by the weekend, but 'Bites Yer Legs' Hunter believes it would be wrong to play the defender at Leicester, just three days before Leeds' Champions League task against Lazio in Rome.

The world's costliest defender is ineligible to face the Italians and Hunter argues: "I think it would be wrong to change the system before the game in Rome. It would be very unfair for Ferdinand to start ahead of Lucas Radebe and Jonathan Woodgate who were excellent in a flat back four against Arsenal.

"Don't get me wrong. I think he is a great player who will be a real asset to Leeds as they try to win trophies, but it doesn't make sense to shake things up when Ferdinand isn't available for the Lazio game. I think he will be on the bench at Leicester."

Ferdinand, who rejected a last-minute £20m bid from Chelsea to join Leeds, expects to be fit for selection by the weekend. He said: "I am carrying a slight groin strain at the moment but I'll be up for it for the Leicester game if I am in the side."

Leeds United reserves: Danny Milosevic, Alan Maybury, Gareth Evans, Danny Mills, Robert Molenaar, Matthew Jones, Darren Huckerby, Jacob Burns, Tony Hackworth, Stephen McPhail, Harpal Singh. Subs: Damien Lynch, Kevin Dixon, Alan Cawley, Simon Watson.

Aston Villa reserves: Peter Enckelman, Gavin Melaugh, Najwan Ghyrayib, Michael Standing, Daniel Haynes, Jlloyd Samuel, Jay Smith, Stephen Evans, Richard Walker, Gilles DeBilde, John McGrath. Subs: David Berks, Neil Cutler, Stuart Thornley, Andrew Mayfell, Sean Folds.

* Leeds United legend Eddie Gray will be at WHSmith at Monks Cross, York, tomorrow to sign copies of a new book telling the story of Leeds' rollercoaster 1999-2000 season.

"Inside Leeds United", written by Don Warters with a special chapter by boss David O'Leary, is the book in question and Gray - former player and now assistant manager - will be autographing copies between 6pm and 7pm.

Look out in the Evening Press soon how you can win copies of the book.