Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for Patrick Kisnorbo, who was due to return to pre-season training with Leeds today.

United boss Simon Grayson is backing the Australian central defender to start the new campaign after missing all but the final ten minutes of last term with an horrendous Achilles tendon injury suffered at home to Millwall in March 2010.

Now Kisnorbo is looking to prove his fitness and earn a long-term contract at Elland Road – but Palace are believed to be waiting in the wings.

The former Leicester player’s contract expired on June 30 and United have offered him a short-term deal.

Understandably they want to be sure he can stand up to a sustained spell of games before offering him a long-term contract but the risk is that Palace or someone else will step in.

Kisnorbo, 30, was sent to America to receive intensive treatment last season and he has spent the summer back home in Australia, chilling out with his family and completing his rehabilitation.

Grayson said: “If Paddy is anywhere near back to where he was before his injury, it will be a massive boost for us – like signing a new player.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on him because he only had ten minutes’ Championship football at the end of last season and there is a bit of work still to be done in terms of games.

“If everything goes to plan and he doesn’t have any setbacks with other parts of his body, I can see him being involved in our whole pre-season and being back for the start of the season.

“It has been a tough time for him, mentally as well as physically. All sorts of thoughts go through your head with that sort of injury but he wants to prove he can get back playing for this club.

“It’s a two-way thing. Paddy recognises the loyalty we showed him last year when he went over to America so he had the best opportunity to get himself fit.

“He realises we can’t afford to take a punt on a two-year contract for him. Nor would any other team run that risk with someone who has been out as long as he has.

“He doesn’t have to prove himself. It is just a matter of monitoring the situation and then there will be a deal done, I am sure of it.”

Luciano Becchio, who finished as Leeds’ top-scorer with 20 goals last season, was set to join the rest of the squad in pre-season training today after working with the club’s physios over the last few days.

Becchio has been treated in his Argentina homeland this summer after missing the last four games of last season with a hamstring injury.