The West Yorkshire club overcame the setback of a 15-point penalty to reach last season's League One play-off final and the Millers, who were docked 17 points by the Football League this summer, are now trying to rival that achievement in League Two.

Following last weekend's home win over Grimsby Town, the Millers moved back onto positive points with only nine games of the season gone.

Robins is reluctant to talk about winning promotion, but Leeds have proved what is attainable against the backdrop of a hefty points deduction.

"We could have sat here feeling sorry for ourselves but we couldn't afford to do that – we had to come out fighting like Leeds last season," said Robins.

"They set the benchmark and they showed what was possible – the only difference is that they could still afford to go out and buy players.

"Now we are back in positive points a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders," he added. "Hopefully, in the next few weeks, we can start looking up the table."

The Millers have already tasted the thrill of success in this competition, albeit under different sponsors, when beating Shrewsbury Town at Wembley 12 years ago. While they are still in the Carling Cup, with a fourth-round trip to Premier League Stoke City on the agenda next month, Robins admits that the JP Trophy provides a better chance of a return to the national stadium.

"It is a great opportunity for players to gain national recognition," he said. "The early stages don't capture too many people's imagination, but when the final comes round, everyone wishes they could be involved.

"Last year it was MK Dons against Grimsby and when you look at teams from your league getting to Wembley, you are always envious. We want to get there this season and so will Leeds.

"They are a good young side with some experience and I like how they play. We are still a work in progress, but with each game we seem to be getting a little bit better."

Leeds, who received support from the Millers when fighting to overturn the points deduction at tribunal, will arrive at the Don Valley stadium looking for an immediate return to winning ways after a weekend setback at Peterborough.

Victory over Bradford City in the first round of the JP Trophy had marked the start of a
six-game winning run that took the club into the top four in League One and the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Manager Gary McAllister has no plans to field a weakened side although, inevitably, there will be changes.

Defender Alan Sheehan returns after serving a three-match ban and midfielders Neil Kilkenny and Robert Snodgrass could also start after substitute appearances at Peterborough.