5:52pm Tuesday 2nd February 2010
By John Wray
Leeds United manager Simon Grayson wants someone to step up to the plate and replace Jermaine Beckford as the hero in tomorrow night’s FA Cup fourth-round replay against Tottenham.
Beckford’s two goals, including a penalty deep into added time at White Hart Lane, earned Leeds an unexpected lifeline and sentenced Harry Redknapp’s men to an unwanted midweek replay at Elland Road.
Beckford, who has stockpiled 24 goals this season, including the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford, was again the main man with both goals as Leeds ended a five-match victory famine in all competitions against Colchester at the weekend.
And the former Wealdstone hit-man’s decision to stay at Leeds until the end of the season, when his contract expires, has delighted his manager.
Now Grayson says: “It would be nice for someone else to step up and be a hero this time.”
Grayson is pleased that former Leeds striker Robbie Keane has left Tottenham to join Celtic on loan until the end of the season, arguing that the move improves the Elland Road side’s chances of reaching the next round.
“Their squad will be a bit weaker after Harry allowed a few players to go out before the deadline, including Robbie,” said Grayson.
“He was a good servant to this club and I am delighted he won’t be wearing a Tottenham shirt because he is a top player. His absence gives us a better chance of winning the game.
“That’s not to say we are in any way favourites. David Bentley has come into their team and we know what he can do. We are underdogs but that’s the way we like it.
“So long as we do ourselves credit, win or lose, I will be happy. I’ve told the players to enjoy themselves, give a good account of themselves and have no regrets.
“Harry Redknapp was very complimentary about the way we played in the 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane and he made me laugh at the post-match press conference when he joked: ‘Don’t you just love going to Leeds for a midweek replay?.’ “We could have been dead and buried in the first 20 minutes at Tottenham but they will expect us to come out of the traps this time, with the encouragement of a big crowd behind us.
“We are in it to win it.”
Leeds give late fitness tests to midfielder Neil Kilkenny and defender Patrick Kisnorbo who both missed the Colchester game. Max Gradel and loan pair Gary McSheffrey and Shane Lowry are ineligible.
*United have announced a record two-year extension to their current secondary shirt sponsorship with OHS.
The OHS logo will continue on the back of the first- team shirts and shorts.
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