The Whites will be looking to hold onto a four point lead in League One with a trip to London on Saturday to play a Brentford team struggling in the bottom half of the table after promotion last season.

With 22 points from their first 20 games, they are in 18th place after losing to struggling Tranmere last Saturday while Leeds stand on 46, still four points clear of second-placed Charlton, despite being held to a 2-2 draw in a pulsating game against Huddersfield.

United will certainly have to defend better than they did against the Terriers and there is the prospect of the return of at least one first-choice defenders for the trip to Griffin Park.

In defence they can expect to be challenged in the air again, as they were against Huddersfield, while at the other end the hosts will also be put to the test with Luciano Becchio getting match fit again and resuming his prolific partnership with Jermaine Beckford.

Winger Max Gradel made another impression after scoring with his first touch after coming on as substitute in the derby and he has become a real super-sub for manager Simon Grayson to turn to in the second half of matches. Whether he continues to be used in this way or is given a starting place with be of big interest to fans in the next few weeks.

Other loan signings have not yet made the same impact, with striker Sam Vokes looking woefully short of confidence and left-back Tony Capaldi given a tough time by Town.

Grayson made a few changes for Tuesday night's second round FA Cup replay against Kettering at Elland Road with all bar one of his recent loan men unavailable and there could be a surprise selection or two at Brentford, as he looks to ensure he keeps his players fresh in the middle of their hectic schedule.

Saturday's match will be the first meeting between the teams since a League Cup tie in 1961 and it will feel even more strange next Tuesday night when the Johnstone's Paint Trophy northern area semi-finals see a first meeting with Accrington Stanley at Elland Road.

With the Leeds boss declaring the club's intention to take the competition seriously and the club only two rounds from a Wembley final, he is likely to pick a strong side and is greatly helped by having all his loan men available.

By the laws of the competition he also has to select at least six of his first team against opponents who are having a decent season in League Two, despite major financial troubles that saw them just stave off bankruptcy last month.