Leeds United supporters' chief Ray Fell hopes any verbal abuse dished out to Alan Smith on his return to Elland Road with Newcastle tomorrow is short-lived.

Fell, chairman of the Supporters' Club, knows some fans will never forgive Leeds-born striker-turned- midfielder Smith for joining Manchester United, the club they love to hate, after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League in 2004.

But Fell says: “Alan was one of the fans’ favourite Leeds players during his time there. I think a section of the crowd will give him a hot reception but the majority will appreciate what he did for the club when he was there and that he has just gone where his career has taken him. Tomorrow's game is only a friendly after all.

“I just hope any abuse he gets at the kick-off is short-lived. I think if he had gone to any other club, except Manchester United, he would have left with most people’s blessing.”

Smith looks certain to play after figuring in all three of Newcastle’s pre-season matches across the Atlantic.

He missed half of last season with an ankle injury but has a year to run on his contract at Newcastle, who remain keen to off-load him to save on his high wages.

However, speculation that he could return to the Leeds playing staff has so far proved wide of the mark.

“I think Alan has served his time at Leeds and I can’t see him returning as a Leeds player,” said Fell. “I would like to have seen Lee Bowyer come back but he chose to go to Ipswich instead.”

Smith’s appearance tomorrow will be his first at Elland Road since that controversial move to Old Trafford and now he finds himself in the shop window.

He said: “There has been a lot of talk about my future but I just want to continue playing football. It is something I have always enjoyed doing ever since I was a kid.

"I hope that whatever happens people have seen when I am playing football I am giving it everything.”

Leeds are expecting a crowd of around 20,000, with Newcastle taking over 4,000 fans to Elland Road. Simon Grayson’s senior team defend a five-match unbeaten run in pre-season, though a Leeds United XI lost 2-1 at Bradford Park Avenue in midweek.