Warnock looking for derby win to kickstart final push

The Elland Road club are unbeaten in half a dozen league outings, but with four of those having been drawn they remain five points adrift of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest.

Leeds chief Warnock, who continues to scour the market ahead of next week’s transfer deadline in an attempt to inject some much needed pace into his squad, admits time is starting to run out.

He said: “We have done well at Ellland Road lately. Even against Peterborough (in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw), I thought we played some quality football.

“It was disappointing not to win, but we have nine games left now and I would say we have to win six of them.

“We have to aim for that. I realise we haven’t won three or four on the trot for a while so it won’t be easy, but we are in good spirits. We need to get a move on and it would be nice to start with a win over Huddersfield.”

United are chasing only their second league double of the season tomorrow when the Terriers make the short trip to Elland Road.

The three points on offer are badly needed by both clubs with Leeds hoping to launch a late charge for the play-offs as Huddersfield look to stay clear of relegation trouble.

For Warnock, the derby will bring another reunion with a club he managed, for two years in the mid-Nineties.

The Leeds chief said: “I do like Huddersfield as a club. Going back there in December (when United won 4-2) brought a lot of memories back for me.

“We both go into the game needing points for differing reasons. I would say both clubs have squads that are honest and genuine, which is why I believe it has all the ingredients of being a great game.

“I don’t know if this is a good time to play Huddersfield or not. They are probably thinking it is a good time to play us, if I am honest.

“I actually thought we played well the other night, but it seems other disagreed with me. I thought it was end-to-end and very exciting.

“You couldn’t take a break without another incident or shot on goal coming along.

“I can’t see anything but the same (tomorrow). They beat Burnley away recently and Middlesbrough at home so they won’t be lacking in confidence.

“I don’t think the (John Smith’s Stadium) pitch helps them. It has been poor over there this season. But that won’t be a problem for Huddersfield at Elland Road.”

Town, who will be without former United striker Jermaine Beckford tomorrow due to injury, go into the encounter having won just three times in their last 20 Championship outings, a run that has seen the club plummet from the top six to 18th.

Asked if he has been surprised by his former club’s slide down the table, Warnock replied: “Not really, no. When you win promotion, it is all about looking around and finding your way.

“Everyone is in the relegation fight down there. Look at Millwall (who sit 17th, level on points with Town); they will be looking over their shoulders hoping the bottom three don’t win any games.

“What Huddersfield do have is a fabulous chairman in Dean Hoyle. I can see why Mark Robins wanted to go there. When you are a young manager, you need help like that.

“It is a well run club, though I think they will have to sort that pitch out if they want to progress. It doesn’t help them at all. But if they can stay up this year, they can then push on.”

Leeds have a host of injury worries ahead of the derby with Steve Morison (calf), Sam Byram (swollen foot) and Tom Lees (hip) all major doubts after picking up injuries in the midweek draw against Peterborough.

Ross McCormack also saw a doctor yesterday after receiving a bump on the head against Posh that meant the striker could not remember anything of the second half come full-time, while Paddy Kenny and David Norris are also doubtful.

One player likely to be included in the Huddersfield ranks tomorrow is Adam Clayton, who chose to celebrate his goal in Town’s 4-2 defeat to Leeds by sliding on his knees in front of the manager who had sold him the previous summer.

Warnock said: “Adam always wants to do well against me and that’s fair enough. To be honest, I didn’t realise what he had done after scoring against us.

“It was only afterwards that I realised he had run towards me. If I had been in Adam’s shoes then I would have done exactly the same.

“In fact, I might have been a little bit more boisterous. It is always good to play against your old managers and show them what you can do. I have no problem with that. I was actually glad he went to Huddersfield, because they are a good club.”

United have announced a significant reduction in season ticket prices for the 2013-14 campaign.

The cheapest adult ticket in the North and South Stands will cost £445 for renewals and £487 for new applications, compared to a cheapest price of £516 for the current term.

A new category of Young Adult, for anyone aged between 16 and 21 as of August 1, has also been introduced, while adult season ticket holders in the East and West Stands will pay between 15-20 per cent less with renewals costing £537 and new applicants paying £587.