Neil Warnock still thinks we can win promotion but he’s got a couple of injury problems in defence as we prepare to face Hull City. Thankfully we have a new loan signing in the shape of Bolton Wanderers Paul Robinson, who is available for tonight’s game.

Leigh Bromby and Aidy White picked up injuries on Saturday and are unlikely to recover in time for tonight’s game, while Alex Bruce will definitely be out with his hamstring problem. Neil Warnock told the official site "Leigh and Aidy are both very doubtful but both of them want to play. It's like that here - everyone wants to play and be in the team. We'll leave it until Tuesday afternoon before we make any decisions."

With so many injury problems in the defence, Leeds have signed Paul Robinson from Bolton Wanderers defender, initially on loan until April 9. Robinson is not to be confused with our former keeper of the same name, as he’s predominantly a left-back, but he can play anywhere across the back line. The 33-year-old goes straight into the squad for tonight’s game.

One of Warnock’s priorities has been to get a couple of players who are more vocal on the field and he told the official site “I’ve been looking to see if I can get one or two leaders in. Paul is a player who I have had my eye on for a couple of weeks - since I came in - but for whatever reason we just couldn’t quite get it over the line. Now we’ve been able to do that I’m delighted. This is a great club for him and it gives us a chance to have a look at him with a view to next season.”

Despite the defeat on Saturday, Warnock is still talking up our chances of snatching a place in the play-offs. "We have to win eight or nine games out of 12. And everyone has seen the run-in. We have Hull away, Middlesbrough away and West Ham at home in our next three games. If we beat those there, we have a hell of a chance.” But while Leeds have to keep aiming for maximum points while there is any chance of promotion,  he also admitted "In my own mind, I am looking towards next season”.

And Warnock was also complimentary about his opposite number, Leeds old boy Nick Barmby. "Nigel (Pearson) built a good squad at Hull and it was a very clever appointment to give Nick (Barmby) the job. He knows everyone, was coming to the end of his career and he is a good lad. "The transition was very, very smooth. You don't change things unless they need changing. I do think they have a great chance of getting in the Play-Offs. They have the best defensive record and also have Fryatt and Stewart to get goals so it is a good combination.”

And Barmby has been equally complimentary on his own club’s website. "We know Leeds will work very hard and that is what you get from a Neil Warnock side. They start games well and inject a lot of energy into games. We've had them watched and seen them on numerous occasions, so we know what to expect. The main thing for us is that we try and impose our football on them and better their work-rate.”

The game has attracted the KC's biggest crowd of the season (we’re not famous anymore!) and Hull have no new injury problems for the game, but they will still be missing winger Robbie Brady.  And although Leeds needs need a win to make up lost ground in the race for the play-offs, I think the most likely outcome tonight will be a draw.

Photo: Action Images

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