Macca's Donny dilemma

10:41pm Friday 16th May 2008

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Gary McAllister faces a Wembley selection dilemma for Leeds United's League One promotion play-off final against Doncaster Rovers a week on Sunday.

Leeds found out who their opponents would be tonight when Rovers thrashed Southend 5-1 at home after the first leg had finished goalless.

With left back Alan Sheehan completing his three-match suspension, McAllister must decide whether to reward the players who saw off Carlisle 2-0 in the second leg or bring back Sheehan in place of Bradley Johnson.

If McAllister decides to restore Sheehan, Johnson could switch back on to the flank, with David Prutton dropping out.

Whoever misses out on a Wembley appearance will be heartbroken but one man assured of his place is Jonny Howson, who scored both goals at Carlisle in Roy of the Rovers fashion.

The youngster, who celebrates his 20th birthday four days before Wembley, gave a much improved performance at Brunton Park after being taken to task by the manager for his dip in form in the home leg.

Howson admitted: "If Gary McAllister had put me on the bench at Carlisle I'd have had no complaints. As soon as he told me I was playing I thought I've got to repay him because he kept faith with me'.

"The thought that he would drop me had crossed my mind a few times because I'd been nowhere near the performance I was capable of, so I was delighted to be picked. We have to go to Wembley now and the job's not done."

Meanwhile, James Coppinger was the hero for Doncaster, scoring a hat-trick.

Rovers were 3-0 up by half-time thanks to a penalty from Brian Stock, an own goal from Adam Barrett and a superb individual goal from Coppinger.

He added a second after the restart and completed his treble with a superb free-kick.