Gary Speed returns to Elland Road tomorrow for the first time as a manager, with winger Robert Snodgrass urging Leeds United to send the Welshman back to Sheffield empty-handed.

Speed spent nine years as a Leeds player before being sold to Everton for £3.5million in 1996 and he has fond memories of the club’s promotion from the old second division and their League Championship success under Howard Wilkinson.

Speed scored 57 goals in 311 appearances for Leeds but, after stepping up to succeed Kevin Blackwell after the Blades’ poor start to this season, he won’t allow sentiment to deflect him from his aim of taking three points off his old club in a Yorkshire derby that will be watched by the biggest Football League crowd so far this season, with around 35,000 predicted.

Snodgrass, who hopes to make the Leeds starting line-up for the first time this season, after coming safely through 90 minutes for the reserves at Middlesbrough in midweek, is well aware of the importance of Elland Road’s first and biggest Yorkshire derby of the season.

He said: “It is a massive game because, quite apart from its derby status, three points would probably put us back in the top six. It is always good to be involved in games like this but the decision rests with the manager.

“It is up to every one of the lads to put in that extra bit of effort. Everyone is fighting for his place and raring go because we know what is at stake. The bad result at Barnsley showed what can happen if you take your eye off the ball at this level but we improved at Doncaster to take a point. The main thing is to get at least a point away from home and make Elland Road into the fortress it was until Christmas last season.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson and Speed started their playing apprenticeships at Elland Road at the same time and went on to enjoy long careers. Now Grayson has the advantage over Speed in terms of experience of management, but Grayson says: “I am sure Gary will be successful as a manager. He will have learned in the best way from the people above him and I am sure Sheffield have made the right decision in appointing him. He is hard working, organised and passionate about being successful.”

Leeds are still without goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with the foot injury that has kept him out of the last three games and among several tricky decisions, Grayson has to decide whether to recall skipper Richard Naylor or stick with Alex Bruce who excelled in the goalless draw at Doncaster. George McCartney could make his debut at left back after joining on loan from Sunderland and Luciano Becchio will be hoping for a recall in the attack but right back Paul Connolly is still out Striker Billy Paynter has had a setback in his bid for fitness and is still some way from returning to action. However, United have overcome a work permit problem for Ramon Nunez who is now available for selection.

  • Leeds’ home game against Cardiff City, which had been brought forward from 3pm to 12.30pm on Saturday, October 23, as now been moved to Monday, October 25 (7.45pm) for screening by Sky.