American Eric Lichaj makes his Leeds United debut against Bristol City at Ashton Gate tomorrow after joining the club on a month’s loan from Aston Villa.

Right back Lichaj, 22, gets his chance as Paul Connolly is ruled out for two or three weeks by the hamstring injury he collected against Coventry last week.

Lichaj, who has also had loan spells at Lincoln City and Leyton Orient, hasn’t played a first-team game since December 28 against Manchester City but manager Simon Grayson has no worries about the defender’s fitness.

Grayson said: “When we found out Paul would be out for two or three weeks, Eric was at the top of our radar. He is a young, hungry player looking to make a name for himself. He has a lot of attributes and comes highly recommended. We have him for a month and will assess the situation after that.

“He will definitely play against Bristol. I have no problems about putting him straight into the team because he is fit enough and has played enough games.”

Robert Snodgrass (Scotland) and Jonny Howson (England under-21s) have returned fully fit from duty with their countries, while it is believed Davide Somma (South Africa) and Ramon Nunez (Honduras) came through their international matches unscathed.

Somma has scored in his last four league games and Grayson hopes the striker won’t be too travel weary after the long trip from South Africa to Heathrow.

Grayson said: “It is a big ask for him to play after such a long journey but he won’t be travelling cattle class. If I play him, he will give his all.”

Somma’s striking partner Luciano Becchio scored the first hat-trick of his career in United’s 3-1 victory over Bristol City at Elland Road on November 13 and although the Argentine missed several chances against Coventry, Grayson said: “His confidence is still high.

“Luciano must have had his boots on the wrong feet but all strikers miss chances and he is always in the right place at the right time. He scored a quick-fire hat-trick against Bristol after leaving the bench and hopefully he will score another hat-trick on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, former Leeds academy boss Neil Thompson has been appointed Sheffield Wednesday’s first-team coach.

  • United’s home game against Reading has been brought forward a day to Friday, April 22 (7.45pm) for live Sky coverage.