Leeds started the season with a 15-point penalty – for failing to adhere to the league's insolvency policy – but have taken maximum points from their first four games.

Another win tomorrow, against Hartlepool at Elland Road, will put Leeds on zero points and increase the belief that they can not only avoid relegation this season but even challenge for promotion.

While Poyet is naturally delighted with the speed of his side's recovery, the former Chelsea and Uruguayan international is warning against the dangers of complacency.

"Getting to zero points is the importance of the game," he said.

"At the start of the season, I had people calling me from Spain or Uruguay and they would ask 'how long will it take you to get to zero?'

"You dream and you say 'five games' – you are confident and you know it is possible, but it is a different story having to do it. Yet now we are just one win away from achieving that dream.

"It will be great to get to zero points," he added. "But we cannot afford to relax. There is a long way to go. It's a difficult task and we know that every single team has a period in a season where they are not at their best."

Despite the impressive start, Poyet confirmed that Leeds explored the possibility of postponing tomorrow's fixture due to international call-ups.

Midfielder Jonathan Douglas is away with the Republic of Ireland, second-choice goalkeeper Alan Martin is on duty for the Scotland Under-21s, and teenager midfielder Ross Wilkinson is part of the England Under-19 squad.

Under normal rules, any club missing three players due to international call-ups is entitled to postpone a league fixture. However Leeds did not meet the necessary criteria because Wilkinson, 17, is not a full-time professional.

"We were thinking about getting the game postponed, but unfortunately Ross is not a professional yet," said Poyet. "We had looked at all the possibilities because we are missing two good players in Jonathan Douglas and Alan Martin."

In light of the club's current form, and the financial implications of losing a Saturday game that will attract over 28,000 customers, Leeds were probably better advised to press ahead.

Meanwhile, the club's move to sign Portuguese winger Felipe Da Costa is still in limbo due to a dispute with his former club Ionikos.

Da Costa is training with Leeds, but Ionikas say he is under contract and not entitled to a free transfer. FIFA have been asked to arbitrate which could delay international clearance for several weeks.