United chief keeps goalkeepers guessing for kick-off

SIMON GRAYSON insists the new season will hold few surprises for Leeds United despite a three-year absence from the Championship.

The Elland Road club kick-off tomorrow in front of the live BBC cameras against Derby County, a side who, coincidentally, were United's last league opponents at this level in May, 2007.

Ahead of that 2-0 defeat at Pride Park, Leeds had just been placed in administration and were about to embark on a turbulent summer that would culminate in a 15-point deduction from the Football League.

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Three years on, United are back in the Championship courtesy of last season's second-placed finish and Grayson is backing his side to build on that success.

He said: "We covered a lot of (Championship) games last season because we were out and about watching players. It means we know a lot about the Championship.

"In terms of the division, we are very familiar with the systems clubs play and their players. We have had Derby watched four or five times in pre-season so know what their strengths and weaknesses are.

"Derby are a good team, who not so long ago were in the Premier League, and it will be tough. They also have Robbie Savage, who I got to know when I lived in Leicester.

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"He has made a good career out of the game and will be looking forward to coming here and winding a few up.

"That is what he is all about but, hopefully, by the time the game finishes he will be going home with his tail between his legs."

Grayson has a number of selection decisions to make ahead, not least whether Kasper Schmeichel or Shane Higgs will get the nod in goal.

Both have, according to their manager, impressed in pre-season following Schmeichel's free transfer switch from Notts County.

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The Leeds chief said: "Shane was excellent last year, as was Kasper for Notts County. Both have performed really well but I have an idea which one I will play.

"Whoever gets left out will be unfortunate. That stands for other areas of the team as well."

Neither goalkeeper yet knows who will start with Grayson, like Fabio Capello in the World Cup, preferring to name his side shortly before kick-off.

He said: "As a player, I was usually told 90 minutes or so before a game. Martin O'Neill certainly liked to do it that way. I often name my team at 1.30pm on a Saturday."

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Jimmy Bullard will not feature in Hull City's opening game of the Championship season, manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed.

The former Fulham midfielder has not played in pre-season due to the Tigers not wanting to risk a player whom they are desperate to offload.

It was not known, however, if Bullard would play once the season got underway but that has now been ruled out by Pearson.

Craig Fagan will also be missing tomorrow, the forward having suffered a groin injury during pre-season.

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Huddersfield Town have signed former Northern Ireland midfielder Damien Johnson on a season-long loan from League One rivals Plymouth Argyle.

Middlesbrough have rejected a 2m bid from Liverpool for goalkeeper Brad Jones.

Wolves striker Sam Vokes has joined Bristol City on loan for the first half of the season.