Premiership: Keep calm, O'Leary tells fans

David O’Leary has today urged Leeds and Chelsea fans to be on their best behaviour tomorrow following the recent spate of missile-throwing incidents.

Soccer has taken a sad stride back towards the hooligan-riddled days of the 1980s during the last two months, with players and officials coming under attack from supporters in the stands.

Earlier this month Leeds were embroiled in one of the worst flashpoints, which led to the club being warned as to their future conduct by the Football Association.

Referee Andy D’Urso was struck on the side of the head by a coin during the FA Cup third-round encounter with Cardiff at a volatile Ninian Park where goalkeeper Nigel Martyn revealed he feared for his career after facing a barrage of objects.

Other Leeds players were also pelted during the game, prompting supporters to respond when Cardiff owner Sam Hammam went on his now infamous pitch-side walkabout as the tie reached boiling point.

Several other incidents before and since have shamed the sport, culminating in the scenes at Arsenal on Sunday when Liverpool star Jamie Carragher threw a coin he had been hit with back at the Highbury crowd - resulting in him being sent off.

The Gunners fans turned on Carragher following his reaction to Dennis Bergkamp’s two-footed tackle which led to the Holland international also being shown a red card by referee Mike Riley.

There has never been any love lost between Chelsea and Leeds in the past - 71 yellow cards and five red in the last 11 league meetings - and tomorrow’s Premiership clash is one which could turn ugly on both sides of the white line.

That is why O’Leary, sporting two black eyes following nose surgery last week, is hoping the fans will keep their cool regardless of what happens on the pitch.

‘‘I would implore both sets of fans to be on their best behaviour,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s important to everybody that they do behave. But when you’ve a crowd of 40,000 people or more, like at Highbury, what can you do when there is only one fan throwing something? You have to hope the fans show more control.’’

When asked about his players being protected from the possibility of having objects thrown at them O’Leary added: ‘‘That’s down to Chelsea. I’ll leave that to them.’’

Leeds at least have the opportunity to open up some daylight between themselves and sixth-placed Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a ground where they have lost just once in the last eight visits.

Enticingly for O’Leary, there is the prospect boss Claudio Ranieri’s side could be without in-form strikers Eidur Gudjohnsen and former Leeds ace Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink through injury.

‘‘Jimmy is a great player and a tremendous goalscorer, and any team without him is a weaker team,’’ added O’Leary.

‘‘If he is out then it’s good news.

‘‘But Chelsea have some fantastic players and can beat anybody on their day, so we know we’re in for a tough game.

‘‘We are three points off the top with a game in hand - so it’s up to us to keep going.

‘‘I know we’ve a good record at Stamford Bridge, and long may it continue.

‘‘We will try and win, but if we come away unbeaten I will be absolutely delighted.’’

O’Leary, who will be fit to shout his usual instructions from the sidelines after also undergoing a minor tonsil operation last week, welcomes Olivier Dacourt back to the squad after nearly two months out following surgery to a dislocated shoulder.

The French midfielder is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench, though, along with Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane as they close in on full fitness after their own injury problems.

O’Leary is without striker Alan Smith as he sits out the second of a five-game ban, while right-back Danny Mills starts a four-match suspension.