United manager Simon Grayson welcomed Paul Huntington back to training by urging the central defender to put in a good pre-season.

The former Newcastle defender made just seven appearances last term and hasn't featured in a Leeds shirt for almost 10 months.

Paul underwent groin surgery earlier this year and the return to pre-season training provided the manager with his first opportunity to take a close look at the defender.

With Richard Naylor set to miss the pre-season games, Huntington will be competing with Rui Marques and Lubo Michalik in the hope of impressing at the heart of the defence.

"He's had a groin problem," said the boss. "He kept coming back, feeling it again, and having time to rest.

"But he's ticked over during the summer months and he joined us for the start last week.

"Hopefully he can go through a full pre-season, playing games, and force his way into the first team because he's had a frustrating time of it.

"Since I came in December I've not seen much of him on the training, but there's an opportunity for him now, hopefully to get himself fit and force his way in."