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Burnley Preview

Leeds host Burnley in the final war of the roses clash of the season.

Leeds host cross-Pennines rivals Burnley at Elland Road (Tues 7:45pm) with new Whites' boss Brian McDermott looking to build on Saturday's success over Sheffield Wednesday.

Leeds are not quite mathematically safe from relegation and Burnley's reversal at Blackpool at the weekend left Sean Dyches men trailing United by one point and three places in14th.

Leeds will welcome back Tom Lees and Lee Peltier from suspension and injury respectively and I expect McDermott to restore the pair to the heart of defence at the expense of Jason Pearce and Stephen Warnock, although the latter was skipper for the day. Whether Warnock retains the armband and regains his place at left-back at the expense of Adam Drury is probably a conversation Brian McDermott and newly appointed first team coach Neil Redfearn will be having prior to kick-off.

Another conundrum is whether or not to use El Hadji Diouf in midfield, who arguably had a significant hand in changing the win over Wednesday in our favour. The striking pairing will have some significance in the midfield selection as Luke Varney may well be thrust up-front with Aidy White on the left, again this change was instrumental in defeating Wednesday.

Varney has expressed a desire to play as a striker and even his fiercest critics would back him to resume his partnership with Rosd McCormack over watching yet another fruitless toil from Steve Morison who other than his performance at Palace has been a big disappointment so far since his arrival from Norwich in January.

According to the visitors website, the Clarets will welcome back Akek Kakaniklic who is on loan from Fulham but missed the trip to Blackpool with a stomach upset. Michael Duff however is not available due to a problematic calf.

The much needed first win in seven has restored some feel good factor back into Elland Road and I'm confident Leeds will notch up their second win under McDermott with a 2-0 triumph.

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