Midfielder Neil Kilkenny is aiming to play a key role in lifting Leeds United out of League One this coming season.

Doncaster Rovers had made Killa a transfer target earlier this summer, but manager Simon Grayson rebuffed the approach and was quick to stress the midfielder has a big role to play at Elland Road.

"I have two-years left on my contract here and I like it at this club," said Killa. 

"I'm settled here. It's a good club and it's nice to be part of the managers plans.

"I came here because it's a big club and I want to do well here and hope I have a big part to play in getting us promoted.

"If we can get into the next division this club can really take off again and I want to be a part of that."

The Australian underwent a minor operation during the summer to assist with his breathing and returned to pre-season with his team-mates at Thorp Arch last week.

The 23-year-old missed pre-season last year, when he was a member of the Australian Olympic squad in China, and following his return he was critical that a lack of involvement put him behind in terms of fitness.

"You could see in the last 25 minutes of games that I came off quite a bit because my fitness levels weren't quite there and that was a lot to do with missing pre-season," he said.

"But hopefully I can have a good one this time and come back fit. It's going to be a big few weeks, I want to stay injury free and get a base of fitness and stay as fit as I can.

"It's a new season, and with the fitness base I can get, hopefully I will be better than last season."

The club has made two summer signings - Jason Crowe and Shane Higgs - and while the boss says he is looking to strengthen in other areas, a major overhaul is unlikely.

"I don't think there was a major problem last season, other than consistency," said Kilkenny.

"When the manager first came in he made a big point about getting on a run and having the players to get promoted, but we had to be consistent.

"That's the aim this season - to be consistent and get promoted."