Premiership: O'Leary salutes unselfish Smith

Leeds manager David O’Leary believes striker Alan Smith needs to change only his attitude to become one of the game’s big names.

While Robbie Fowler took the plaudits for his hat-trick against Bolton, Smith quietly left the stage.

But his industrious performance in the 3-0 victory yesterday when he played a deeper role did not go unnoticed by O’Leary.

‘‘I thought Alan gave a great professional workmanlike performance,’’ said the Leeds boss.

‘‘The way he sacrificed himself for the team, he is an absolutely fantastic lad.

‘‘The way he ran at the end to close the full back down he was a revelation.

‘‘I hope I am going to be here for many years to come and as long as I am here, he’ll be here. You know my admiration for him.

‘‘To me he is a technically great player. Where he has got to improve is his attitude and I think it will. Many managers round the country would love to have him.’’

Smith was booked for dissent by referee Alan Wiley but O’Leary said: ‘‘He was harshly done by.

‘‘I think referees just jump on him and I thought he was very controlled through the game.’’

The win at Bolton put Leeds back on track after the defeat by Newcastle at the weekend.

O’Leary said: ‘‘The way this league is going this season we have a great chance of getting in the Champions League and that’s our goal.

‘‘If we can keep a clean sheet then we have a chance of success for this team will always score goals.’’

O’Leary again has a number of players injured in the run-up to the match against Southampton on Saturday.

Dominic Matteo is having tests today on the hamstring injury which cut short his comeback at Bolton.

Matteo, who returned from a groin injury to replace Ian Harte at left back, lasted only 44 minutes before suffering a hamstring strain and making way for Harte.

Leeds are hopeful that Eirik Bakke, shaken by a sixth-minute challenge by Paul Warhurst which led to him being replaced by Jason Wilcox, will be fit for the game.

Harry Kewell (back) and Seth Johnson (dead leg), who failed fitness tests ahead of the Bolton clash, could also be back to face the Saints while Danny Mills will be available again after serving a one-match suspension.

The injuries to Matteo and Bakke are a further setback for Leeds who were already without Robbie Keane, Olivier Dacourt, Lucas Radebe and Michael Bridges.