Leeds United go in search of back-to-back league wins for the first time in 2010 when Southend United arrive at Elland Road on Saturday (3pm).

The Shrimpers are in the thick of the relegation battle and captain Adam Barrett has spoken this week about the effects of the club's financial position on the players.

While United returned to winning ways against Yeovil on Monday, Southend went down 3-0 at Gillingham, and Steve Tilson brings a squad decimated by injuries north to Elland Road.

"It is a good game on paper, but football isn't played on paper," said the United boss.

"We've talked about pressure a lot this season and playing for Leeds United, but when you're not getting paid at the end of the month and you're wondering where or when like the Southend lads maybe are, now that's pressure.

"We've got put everything aside and try and win the game, and after that I hope Southend can stay up.

"I like Steve, he's a good coach and a good manager and he's done wonders for Southend getting them in the Championship a couple of years ago.

"They've had a bit of a turnaround with the financial side and their position in the league, but we know we will have a tough game against them.

"All we can do is affect what we can affect and concentrate on what we plan to do."

While Millwall entertain Gillingham on Saturday, second-placed Swindon Town make the trickier trip to face Play-Off chasing Colchester, and by 5pm the picture at the top could have changed again as the race starts to hot up.

"You have to be mentally strong and have an attitude and a desire," said the Leeds boss.

"Pressure is an amazing thing and it can do strange things to people. Our players have dealt with it all season.

"We've had an expectancy all season that comes with playing for Leeds United, but the other teams around us face pressure now as well and it will be a different kind of pressure to what they've had earlier in the season."

Luciano Becchio is likely to return to the squad for Saturday's game to give increased competition for places in the front-line.

Grayson handed Max Gradel the chance to partner Jermaine Beckford at Yeovil on Monday and the former Leicester man repaid his manager with a terrific performance in an unfamiliar role.

"You're thinking about things all the time," added Grayson.

"You have to consider all the best formations, personnel, and how you can win the game.

"Fair play to the players who came in on Monday and responded well. It could have been five or six changes from Saturday, but it was two.

"A lot goes through your mind about how you can adapt to the game, and from 5pm last Saturday to 10am on Monday morning my team had changed a few times.

"You have to give yourself the best option of picking the team. It worked on Monday and hopefully we will do the same thing on Saturday."

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