Leeds legend in the making

7:41pm Monday 21st April 2008

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For Gary McAllister to show as much faith in a rookie as to hand him the captain's armband for one of the most important games of the season, says a lot about Jonny Howson.

The Leeds born youngster, who grew up supporting the team from the stands, is clearly the man McAllister sees as one of the key figures around whom he can build a team over the next few years.

Howson, who is not 20 until next month, became the youngest Leeds skipper since Billy Bremner when he led the team out for the 2-0 win over Millwall on Saturday and McAllister said: "I've never hidden how much potential I've seen in this guy. One game, one win - that's a 100 per cent record!"

He has still only made 31 starts and nine appearances from the bench but is clearly in line to become one of the legendary figures at Elland Road.

The three points at Millwall has all but guaranteed Leeds a play-off place and if the result of the 15-point tribunal goes their way they could still make automatic promotion.

Whatever happens, Leeds fans have clearly decided to celebrate at the final home game against Gillingham. With 11 days still to go, the club reports that it has already sold over 30,000 tickets.