Leeds United begin their new life in the Npower Championship by hosting potential bogey side Derby County tomorrow (5.15pm), after a three-year absence from English football’s second tier.
Derby have triumphed in the last three meetings between the sides, but Leeds will be encouraged by County’s dismal away record of just three wins on the road last year.
United go into the clash on the back of four successive pre-season victories, which saw the Yorkshire side score 16 goals in the process. Striker Luciano Becchio grabbed four, and he’ll be looking to carry his impressive form into the new season.
United will be looking to him and new signing Billy Paynter to fill the significant gap left by the departure of last season’s top scorer Jermaine Beckford.
However, Leeds fans will have to wait to see their new striker in action after he suffered a shin injury following the club’s tour of Slovakia.
He’ll be joined on the sidelines by midfielder Robert Snodgrass, who, despite his knee injury not being as serious as first feared, is out.
Winger Max Gradel is suspended for the first four fixtures after his red card at the end of last season.
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