STEVE Stone is set for another cameo performance at Preston tomorrow when Leeds United warm up for the end of season play-offs.

The former England winger made his long-awaited debut 29 minutes from the end against Crewe at Elland Road last Saturday and had 70 minutes in the reserves against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Now he is eager for more action and says: "I am looking to play at Preston but of course it is up to the manager. Because the teams could meet in the play-offs, the two managers won't want to give anything away, so I expect there will be changes to both line-ups.

"We will be looking for another win to keep confidence high going into the play-offs, so it should be an interesting match."

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell said: "Steve is getting close to the fitness level we want to see from him. He needs games so there is a chance that he will play another cameo role on Sunday."

Leeds qualified for the play-offs some weeks ago and Blackwell is looking forward to the end of the Championship season so he can concentrate fully on the play-offs. He explained: "I cannot get this weekend over quickly enough, then we can get down to the nitty gritty.. I have to decide whether to risk certain players on Sunday for a game that doesn't really matter that much, though we do want to finish as high in the table as we can."

Rob Hulse, who missed last week's game with a virus, will again be missing, but Ian Moore and reserve goalkeeper Ian Bennett have recovered from a similar virus. Eirik Bakke has gone for an updated scan on his back and hamstring and definitely misses the Preston game.

Leeds need at least a point to ensure they have home advantage in the second leg of the play-off semi-final and there is a suggestion that it would suit both teams to play out a tame draw.

However, Blackwell said: "You don't get thrown matches in this country. There are players in Sunday's match looking for contracts or wanting to improve their chances of being picked for the play-off games. It's a sellout crowd and the players will be motivated, but if a tackle is mistimed I may lose somebody for the play-offs, so my team selection is a real conundrum."

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, April 29, 2006