Manager Simon Grayson is ready to shuffle his pack again at Brentford on Saturday to help Leeds United’s players cope with their heavy schedule.

Grayson caused raised eyebrows for the trip to Oldham earlier this month when he left out some of his big guns, but his decision proved justified with a 2-0 win.

The Oldham game came immediately after the drawn FA Cup tie at Kettering.

Now, just two days after knocking out the Conference side in extra time of the Elland Road replay, Grayson is ready to gamble again.

He explained: “The players had yesterday off and didn’t do much training today because of the extra time on Tuesday night.

"There are a few tired bodies and minds and aching limbs but the lads are now playing for their places for the weekend and the Christmas run-in.

“It might be that I will have to shake the pack up again and put out a team that wins the game at Brentford, without regretting my selection.

"We have been playing on Tuesdays and Saturdays a lot lately and there are more of those to come, so we have to consider how many minutes each individual has played.

“There are probably six or seven who have played nearly every minute of every game in the last six. In those circumstances, performances can be below par and with fatigue you can pick up more injuries.”

Bradley Johnson and goalkeeper Shane Higgs are back in training after thigh injuries and are nearing a comeback.

Richard Naylor and Patrick Kisnorbo are also improving, while loan players Sam Vokes, Max Gradel, Hogan Ephraim and David Martin are all available after missing the cup replay.

One enforced change will be made on the left flank, with Robert Snodgrass suspended.

Grayson also has to decide whether to hand Mike Grella a place in the starting line-up after his two extra-time goals helped settle the cup-tie in Leeds’ favour.