Squad Boost For United

Last updated : 29 January 2004 By Kevin Markey
Mark Viduka will again be missing, as he is still in Australia with his seriously ill father.

Batty is hoping to shake off an ankle injury. Matteo and McPhail return from suspensions whilst Duberry and Radebe are making good progress from hamstring injuries and could come into contention.

Radebe returned to full training today. The Chief has been out of action since tearing a hamstring, in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City, and has taken six weeks to recover.

Head coach Kevin Blackwell told the official Leeds website. "Lucas is not far off at all and we are hoping that if everything goes well in the next 24 hours he could be available.

"It would be a major, major plus to have The Chief back, let alone a relief. We said it would be around six weeks, which is what it has been, so not a lightning quick recovery but it's still a pleasure to have him back one way or another."

"They are all coming through well, so we are hoping that in the next 24 hours we will have as strong a squad as we can get."