Leeds United hope to have Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry available for Monday night’s televised home game against Millwall.

On-loan Lowry returned to Villa Park ahead of schedule when he suffered a knee injury and he has missed Leeds’ last three matches.

However, Leeds officials understand the Australian is now fit again and they are looking to extend his loan spell until the end of the season.

Although Lowry is a specialist central defender, his eight appearances for Leeds have all been at left back.

Aidan White has started the last three matches at left back, but he was substituted at half-time after facing a torrid time against Southampton winger Jason Puncheon last Saturday.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Shane Higgs says he hopes to play some part in the promotion run-in after playing the full game in his long-awaited comeback after injury for the reserves in midweek.

Higgs didn’t have a save to make in a 5-0 win over Lincoln City reserves but he was satisfied with his kicking and is looking to push current first choice Casper Ankergren for his place.

Ankergren has arguably been Leeds’ most consistent performer in recent months and it would be harsh on the Dane if he were to make way for Higgs, who started the season as first choice.

Former Bantams loan defender Ben Parker, who has been out of the first team all season through injury, completed 70 minutes of the reserve game unscathed before being substituted and may need more reserve outings before being considered match fit for senior duty.