Keogh responds to emergency call and returns to Leeds hoping to make impression this time

The 25-year-old Wolves striker was yesterday drafted in on a loan deal that will run until January after answering an SOS call from manager Simon Grayson.

Leeds are without Luciano Becchio, Davide Somma and Billy Paynter through injury, while Max Gradel and captain Jonny Howson are also out suspended following their red cards in the weekend defeat to Middlesbrough.

It means Republic of Ireland striker Keogh, who started his career as an apprentice at United before being sold to Scunthorpe United in 2004 for just £50,000, is certain to start against the Tigers.

The Dublin-born striker, who made a solitary Carling Cup appearance for Leeds during his first spell, said: “This is where I started and it is great to be back.

“I know all about the club. I was here in what you could call the good old days and I left just as things started to go downhill.

“I was disappointed I never got a fair chance here. I thought I was sold too quickly. I understand what it was like back then, but it feels good to be back and to have a chance to play in the first team properly.

“Every player wants to prove something and I am no different. I do feel I was let go too early and didn’t get the chance to show fans what I could do.”

Keogh’s capture is a major boost to Grayson as Leeds attempt to avoid the ignominy of losing their first three league games of a season for the first time since 1936-37.

Being without four players who contributed 58 of their 81 league goals last term tonight will, of course, hardly help that quest but Grayson insists his side are ready to kick-start their campaign.

The Leeds chief, who has taken former Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell on trial following his release by German side Hannover, said: “I won’t let the result (Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Boro) affect the players.

“I told them straight away after the game how proud I was of their efforts. It was a frustrating afternoon. But we can bounce back.”

On tonight’s opponents, Grayson added: “Hull had a good result (last weekend) that once again showed exactly what this division is all about.

“After getting beaten by Blackpool at home, they went to Ipswich, who had beaten Bristol City a week earlier, and won. The Championship is full of results like that.

“I think it is great to get back to action with a game like this. I am sure it will be another good atmosphere.

“We will be up against a team well capable of getting results but I also have a team who can get results.”

Hull are searching for their first win at Elland Road in almost 24 years but Nick Barmby, formerly of Leeds, sees no reason why that run cannot end tonight.

Barmby said: “The supporters love games like these and we will be giving everything we have got to go there and get the win.

“You can look back on the history books all you like but, for me, the seasons are different, the teams are different and the divisions are different.

“You look at when Leeds were in the Premier League, we didn’t really get a crack at them.

“Then it changed again and one of the greatest things for us when we were in the Premier League was that we were the only Yorkshire side up there.

“That was an achievement in itself.

“But we are on a par with Leeds now and it will be a great game to play in. The last few years have been exciting to play them again, they are great atmospheres and special games for the fans. We will be ready.”

Manager Nigel Pearson will be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI from the weekend win at Ipswich Town with Dele Adebola and Aaron Mclean both likely to have to be content with a place on the bench.

Hull’s only injury concern is club captain Andy Dawson with an Achilles problem.