United boss Gary McAllister is expecting another big Elland Road battle against Hartlepool United at Elland Road on Saturday.

After dropping three points at home to Huddersfield last weekend, the boss is keen to see his side return to winning ways in League One to maintain the pressure on our promotion rivals.

United have already beaten Hartlepool this season after twice coming from behind to win 3-2 in the final minute of the Carling Cup third round clash at Elland Road.

Danny Wilson's Hartlepool side impressed many at Elland Road last season with their brand of passing football and again earlier this term. Pools have strengthened since the Carling Cup clash with the addition of former Sunderland marksman Kevin Kyle.

The Scotland international provides added height up front, but the United boss isn't convinced Hartlepool will alter their approach at Elland Road.

"There may be a change of style with Kevin Kyle," said Macca. 

"But knowing the manager I don't think that will be the case. They'll utilise that, but they will pass and play and it'll be a competitive match.

"The cup tie was tight - but if we'd have been a bit more clinical I think we would have won a little easier.

"We'll be fighting and scrapping - but we have to do that for every point."

Monday's 5-2 win at Northampton in the FA Cup replay provided a timely boost after three successive games without a victory.

United were held at home by Northampton at the first time of asking in the FA Cup, suffered a 2-1 defeat at Derby in the Carling Cup, and were sunk by a last-minute goal at the hands of Huddersfield last weekend.

"Over the last three games we have been the best team, but the difference at Northampton was that we had a wee bit of the rub of the green," explained the manager.

"As much as the boys looked sharp, that made a little bit of difference. It was nice to see things click for us instead of against us.

"Even at the end of the 94 minutes last Saturday the crowd were in shock and the players were as well.

"Even though we weren't on top of our game we did enough to win the game against Huddersfield and we were stunned."

Malcolm Christie is added to the squad for Saturday's game, and Frazer Richardson should also come back into contention after illness.