GARRY Monk hopes keeping the Leeds United players together following Saturday night's defeat at Reading will have a positive effect for tonight's match at Brentford.

Less than 50 miles separates the two London area clubs and head coach Monk could see no benefit in dragging his squad back north in between the Championship fixtures.

"We will stay down here and train until Tuesday. It is pointless us travelling as it has a negative effect on the players," he said after United's 1-0 loss to Reading.

"This was our first loss in eight games, so we can't be too disappointed and there is another game right around the corner.

"We need to try and recover and recoup the players as quickly as possible to be ready for Brentford.

"Knowing this group very well, they will be ready to react and give everything they can for the remaining games."

Leeds would have climbed above West Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield Town into third place with a win at Reading, who instead leapfrogged the Whites into fourth place.

Monk told LUTV: "There are seven difficult games left and we will be fighting at our maximum to pick up as many points as we can.

"We are having a fantastic season and the lads are doing exceptionally well. One setback in eight isn't a bad return and we will continue on that path."