Gradel returns as Leeds United's Cup heroes turn attention to league aspirations

The 22-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal after moving to Elland Road from Leicester City and goes straight into the squad to face Swindon Town tonight.

A draw from the visit to the County Ground will be enough to return to the top of the division after United were displaced by Norwich City last weekend when the Canaries took advantage of their Yorkshire rivals being in FA Cup action.

Charlton Athletic's 1-0 defeat last night at home to Leyton Orient means the south London side are three points behind Simon Grayson's men having played two games more.

But Gradel said: "Every game is very important now because it feels like Charlton and Norwich are catching us up so we have to win games.

"I want to do everything I can to help us get promoted. We want to finish as champions because of the work we have already put in."

Gradel, who made 16 appearances on loan at Elland Road before returning to Leicester at the start of last week, is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench tonight following the manner of United's impressive display when drawing 2-2 at Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.

The Ivory Coast winger is unable to play in the replay a week tomorrow due to not having joined the club before the initial tie.

But he believes Leeds are more than capable of knocking Spurs out in front of the live ITV cameras and earning a fifth-round trip to Bolton Wanderers.

Gradel said: "I watched the game on television and felt like a Leeds player even though I wasn't yet. I thought they put in a lot of effort to get what was a great result."

Tonight's trip to Wiltshire continues a hectic period that will see United play 13 games in just six weeks. Concerns have already been raised outside the club that fixture congestion could be a problem with Leeds now guaranteed to play a minimum of 60 games this season.

It will be more if the club progress in the FA Cup and reaches the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final but manager Grayson is confident none of his players will be asking for a rest.

He said: "The worst case scenario (on Saturday at Spurs) would have been to have made changes and then get done by four or five goals, that would have been a real body blow.

"We will now play at least 60 games and that is a lot by any standards but if I had asked anyone if they wanted to be rested at White Hart Lane, I would have probably got a couple of back-handers!"

Leeds will be hoping captain Richard Naylor is fit after sitting out the trip to north London with a thigh problem, while Luciano Becchio will be hoping for a recall after sitting out the last two games.

Swindon manager Danny Wilson will be without the services of defender Alan Sheehan.

Last six games: Swindon Town WDWLWW, Leeds United WWDLLD.

Referee: P Gibbs (West Midlands).

Last time: Swindon Town 1 Leeds United 3; September 13, 2008; League One.