Dennis Wise wants Leeds United's players to prove it's good to talk.

And he believes the return of skipper Kevin Nicholls will improve the team's level of communication.

Since manager Wise handed him the captaincy in October, Nicholls has been sidelined by a knee injury, but the hard-tackling former Luton midfielder is ready for a long-awaited comeback at Ipswich tomorrow.

"Kevin is very vocal and it's good to have someone like him around to help the others by talking," said Wise.

"I have a quiet team and I would like them to be more vocal as a group. Then they can help each other out with advice or a kick up the backside when it is needed.

"It's not just about screaming and shouting but giving out decent information."

One of Wise's first jobs after taking charge was to strip Paul Butler of the captaincy and hand it to Nicholls, who has been bursting to wear the armband.

"We've worked Kevin hard and he is available for selection, which is a big bonus for us," said Wise.

"At one stage he was like a big baby spitting the dummy out because he wanted to play but I was determined not to rush him back. He's done another pre-season's work and is a lot better for it."

Central defender Matthew Kilgallon is back in training and could return after injury, while former Ipswich midfielder Ian Westlake is available for face his old club after serving a one-match suspension.

However, striker Robbie Blake is doubtful with a hamstring injury, Richard Cresswell is still some way off a return to action and defenders Gary Kelly and Frazer Richardson are again sidelined.