Grayson spoilt for choice between the sticks (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Grayson spoilt for choice between the sticks

6:24pm Thursday 17th December 2009 in Sport

Leeds United boss Simon Grayson has a goalkeeping dilemma ahead of Saturday’s visit from in-form Southampton.

Shane Higgs is pushing for a recall after being sidelined since October with a thigh injury, while Casper Anker-gren, Alan Martin and David Martin are also in the frame.

Ankergren has filled in for Higgs, while Alan Martin has been a regular on the bench, but Grayson handed the keeper’s jersey to David Martin against Accrington in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old, on loan from Liverpool, earned praise from United’s manager, who said: “David was very composed. He came for crosses, caught them and his communication with the back four was good.

“He played 20-odd games on loan at Leicester last season so I had no problem in putting him in the team. It’s good that we have strong competition in all positions.”

United are undefeated at home in the league for almost a year but Grayson warned: “If we play against South-ampton as we did against Accrington they will punish us.

“No disrespect to Accring-ton, but Southampton are a better team with real quality. Over the next few weeks we have to get back to the standards we’ve set ourselves by being hard to beat, dogged, determined and ruthless.”

Grayson made nine changes for the JPT match but he is sure to bring back the cavalry against the Saints, including first-choice strikers Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio.

He added: “It is a big test for us. Southampton have turned around the points deficit imp-osed when they went into administration. They made a slow start but have since hit the ground running, but I have a very strong team too.”

Southampton were 3-0 winners on their last visit to Elland Road in November 2006, and Alan Pardew’ side have won their last six matches.

He said: “We can go to Leeds, let our hair down and have real confidence that we can win.”