Although Richard Naylor cites winning promotion to the Premiership with Ipswich Town as one of the highlights of his career, he is not expecting to repeat the experience this season with Leeds.

There is no doubt that the 33-year-old United skipper would love to lead the team he supported as a boy back into the top flight before he hangs up his boots for a coaching job, but he doesn’t think it is realistic this season.

They may have climbed to sixth in the Championship with back-to-back wins but Naylor said: “Having been out of this league for three seasons, the most important thing is to consolidate and to build and get better each year.

“If you do can do that you’ll be on the right path.

“Top half or even top six is a possibility and that’s got to be our aim.”