UEFA Cup: Leeds and PSV kick-off

Danny Mills, Lee Bowyer and Alan Smith all returned to the starting line-up for tonight’s first leg of Leeds’ UEFA Cup fourth-round tie against PSV Eindhoven.

The trio, currently serving domestic suspensions, were unsurprisingly restored to the side at the Philips Stadium with manager David O’Leary hoping for a much-needed tonic to revitalise his flagging team’s season.

Mills replaced Gary Kelly at right-back, while Bowyer took over in midfield from David Batty - the 33-year-old having made his way to Holland by car and ferry because of his fear of flying in the wake of the September 11 tragedy.

Smith, meanwhile, started up front for the first time in nearly six weeks because of Robbie Fowler’s ineligibility following his Champions League action for Liverpool at the start of the season.

Leeds went into the match on the back of a miserable run which has seen them without a win since New Year’s Day.

Reigning Dutch champions PSV had lost just one of their last 36 league matches at home, stretching back over a two-year period.

Coach Eric Gerets named a formidable line-up, the most notable inclusion Manchester United target Kevin Hofland - fit to return to the centre of defence after a two-week lay-off with concussion.