McAllister has thrown teenagers Aidan White and Fabien Delph into his side this season and says other youngsters will soon be knocking on the first-team door.

After a period on the slide, the club's Academy is getting improved attention and McAllister is determined to play a major part in that development.

Leeds could do far worse than copy the example of tomorrow's opponents Crewe Alexandra, widely regarded as one of the leading lights in youth development. Players such as David Platt, Robbie Savage, Dean Ashton, Danny Murphy and Geoff Thomas have all come through the ranks at Gresty Road and gone on to play international football.

"You have to admire the principles of a club like Crewe," said McAllister. "They have been a breeding ground and, they will admit, if they can produce a youngster he moves on. They are a club with a reputation for good football that tries to give good information to young players.

"We are also a club that it is going down the road of producing quality through the academy. It is there and we have to bring it through. If they are good enough, they will play – but it's not a case of pushing people who are not capable. They have to be good enough to be Leeds United players.

"I know for a fact that Sir Alex Ferguson is still turning up at the houses of 14-year-old boys, telling their parents that Manchester United is the right place for their kid," he added. "If I am needed at that level, I will also be there. We have got to use everything available to the club for recruitment."

Leeds are boosted by the return of defenders Alan Sheehan and Paul Telfer for tomorrow's game against Crewe at Elland Road.

Former Leicester left-back Sheehan has missed the last three games after suffering concussion in a 1-1 draw at Yeovil two weeks ago, but came through a private practice match against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday afternoon.

Telfer, who can play in a variety of positions, has missed the last two games with a groin strain but is also back in contention.

Striker Enoch Showunmi is unlikely to be involved after limping off with a badly bruised hip during the midweek victory over Bradford City, but centreback Paul Huntington has shaken off a minor knock.