Leeds United: Players have chance to go down in history

Victory over Bristol Rovers tomorrow would guarantee Leeds a return to the Championship after an absence of three years.

It is now two decades since Leeds last enjoyed a promotion success and the name of striker Lee Chapman is written in club folklore as a result of his winning goal on the final day of the

1989-90 season at Bournemouth.

For Grayson, who was a member of that Leeds squad under Howard Wilkinson, it does not really matter who emerges as a hero tomorrow, just as long as Leeds go up.

But in Jermaine Beckford, who has bagged 30 goals this season including the goal that knocked Manchester United out of the

FA Cup, there is an obvious candidate.

The striker, who will walk away as a free agent this summer – possibly to Everton – was dropped to the bench four games ago but may be recalled in the wake of last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic.

Beckford has scored three goals as a substitute in the last three games and would love to wave farewell by hitting the winner in tomorrow's sell-out game. If he does, and leaves the club as a hero, Grayson will naturally be delighted.

"Whether it's Jermaine, Max Gradel, the captain, the goalkeeper or whoever – hopefully someone will go down as a hero in the ranks of Leeds United for getting us promoted," said Grayson.

"Do I leave Jermaine on the bench or put him back in the side?

"I have got a big decision to make but this team is not about Jermaine Beckford. It's about all the players and, whatever team I put out, hopefully it will win and someone will be a hero."

In three stunning seasons, Beckford has scored 84 goals for Leeds but his relationship with the club has been strained by his refusal to sign a new deal.

As Leeds suffered the promotion jitters in March and April, Beckford began to kop flak and some supporters questioned his commitment to the club.

Grayson said: "It was a big decision to leave him out against Carlisle but it gave Jermaine a kick up the backside and he has responded in a fantastic manner in terms of training and scoring goals.

"I don't think his contract situation destabilised the club in terms of results but it might have destabilised him because his situation was up in the air. I felt he was badly advised but we got it resolved.

"We turned down bids and kept him on as our player.

"That was the decision we made as a club and we told him to get his head down and get us goals to get promoted.

"He is into double figures since Christmas and that's what he is all about, scoring goals."

During Beckford's absence from the side, Argentinian striker Luciano Becchio and recent signing Gradel have formed a promising partnership in attack which makes Grayson's decision even harder this weekend. Becchio has scored five goals and Gradel has three in the last five games.

"Max and Luciano have done well and justified the decision, they have kept Jermaine out of the team with what they have achieved," said Grayson. "And, when the opposition see Jermaine coming off the bench, it sends shivers down their spines.

"All the players know what is at stake on Saturday, "he added. "They all know they need to replicate what they have done for major, major parts of the season but someone in that dressing room can be a hero."

Tomorrow's opponents Bristol Rovers are playing only for pride after missing out on play-off qualification. When the clubs met in October, Leeds won 4-0 with Beckford scoring twice.

Grayson has reported no fresh injuries ahead of the game and will again be without the services of Patrick Kisnorbo, Jason Crowe, Ben Parker and Aidan White.

Former Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney has been axed as manager of Oldham Athletic after just 12 months in charge at Boundary Park.

Oldham, who host fourth placed Charlton Athletic tomorrow, are only four points clear of the League One relegation zone.