The man who Ferdinand replaced as captain, South African international Lucas Radebe, is out, as he is still suffering from what the manager calls ‘‘a chronic knee problem’’.

Michael Bridges, who has not played since September, is O’Leary’s only other long-term absentee.

Eirik Bakke has recovered from a hamstring twinge relating to his old back problem and should figure, while Stephen McPhail, who was ruled out for much of last season with an Achilles injury, came through a midweek friendly with the Republic of Ireland unscathed, and makes the squad.

Leeds (from): Martyn, Robinson, Kelly, Harte, Ferdinand, Duberry, Woodgate, Mills, Matteo, Bakke, Dacourt, Batty, Bowyer, Kewell, Burns, Keane, Viduka, Smith, McPhail.