Team News From The Leeds Camp

Last updated : 29 April 2008 By Thetashkentterror
Dennis Wise
Whites manager Dennis Wise spoke to the official Leeds United website about the game at Brunton Park, Wise talking about the way Carlisle play as well as commenting on the changes in the coaching staff at Elland Road this week :


"It's going to be a good game. They've done really well so far and they do well at home. They've won four of their six, scored nine and conceded just two. They've been playing a 4-4-1-1, they'll sit back and they seem to be nicking 1-0s. They defend as a team and make it difficult. They're are at home as well and there will probably be another full-house.

"I brought in Harry (Dave Bassett) because I know him well and what he's capable of. We've always got on well. We understand things, and each have a way of thinking which complements each other which is good. I needed someone who I trusted and someone who knows the game.

"I know what he's about. He's very honest and he's been in the game a long time. People tarnish him with long ball, but he's not always like that. We'll carry on with what we've been doing. He'll help more with the back four and positional senses. He said 'you're doing fine at the moment', but it's always good to have an old wise head giving you fresh ideas."



Any injury problems for Leeds all seem to be centred around the middle of the park with the Whites missing central midfielders Alan Thompson (hamstring), Leicester-loanee Radostin Kishishev (hamstring), Ian Westlake (broken toe in training this week) and Shaun Derry (achilles), Derry making his comeback from injury in a reserve team win over Hartlepool this week.

Like Derry, ex-Port Vale striker Leon Constantine played in that second-string match as he recovers from a broken ankle, but both players are still some way short of full match fitness. The last player definitely sidelined is veteran Norwegian frontman Tore Andre Flo who misses out after having foot surgery.

Also upfront Wayne Andrews has returned to the RICOH Arena following the end of his one-month loan spell from Coventry City. Back to the middle of the park now and in some good news for Leeds boss Dennis Wise central midfielder Andrew Hughes should now be available after recovering from the groin injury he sustained at Brighton a fortnight ago.

On the sidelines for the Whites Gus Poyet left the club earlier in the week to take up an assistant manager post at White Hart Lane under new Spurs boss Juande Ramos. Wise has brought in two men to replace Poyet though with Dave Bassett coming in as the new assistant boss while ex-Notts County manager John Gannon comes into Elland Road as a new first-team coach.


The referee for tomorrow's match is Premiership official Phil Dowd from Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, and he will be assisted down the lines by Andrew Butler from Wigan in Lancashire and Mick McDonough from the Tyne and Wear area. Meanwhile the fourth official will be the infamous Scott Mathieson from Stockport in Cheshire.