Higgs, who spent the last 10 years with Cheltenham Town, joined Leeds on a one-year deal in the summer.

Manager Simon Grayson was so impressed with his performances that Higgs started the season as first choice with Casper Ankergren dropping to the bench.

Higgs, 32, has now been rewarded with a new deal until summer 2011 and is desperate to return to the side as soon he has recovered from a thigh injury.

"I came in the summer knowing I would be providing competition for Casper but, at the same time, not really knowing what to expect, " he said. "I knew I had to find form quickly and things went pretty well until the injury."

Higgs missed three consecutive games after limping off during a 1-0 victory at Milton Keynes Dons and lasted just 17 minutes on his return for the televised home game against Norwich City on October 19. Despite missing the last five games, Higgs will not be back in contention until sometime next month.

"It is a bit frustrating, but the team is doing well and we're at the top of the table, " he said. "I probably worked too hard to come back for Norwich. Now we're taking a slower approach to make sure it doesn't happen again. It'll be a couple more weeks yet but we're not setting a target this time."