LEEDS United resume their game of catch-up at Manchester City tomorrow by chasing a place in the Premiership's top ten.

A remarkable revival in fortunes has seen them reap 13 points from the last 15.

Since their UEFA Cup defeat against Malaga at Elland Road on December 12, Terry Venables' side have beaten Bolton, Sunderland, Chelsea and Birmingham, as well as drawing with Southampton.

That run has lifted them from 16th place to 11th. and their confidence was further boosted by last week's FA Cup victory at Scunthorpe.

The season began with a 3-0 win over Manchester City at Elland Road, and tomorrow's re-match offers United an opportunity to complete their first league double of the season.

Two of the goalscorers from that opening day victory will not be in the Leeds side tomorrow. Nick Barmby is recovering from surgery on a torn achilles, while Robbie Keane left for Tottenham in a £7million deal at the end of August.

Mark Viduka, the other goalscorer against City, spearheads the Leeds attack alongside Harry Kewell, with Robbie Fowler again expected to be on the bench.

City recently agreed a £7million fee for Fowler but the former Liverpool striker's transfer from Elland Road broke down because he couldn't agree personal terms.

Viduka, like Norwegian midfielder Eirik Bakke, has scored in each of Leeds' last two matches, but it is his link-up play that has taken the eye since his return from a shoulder injury.

The Australian marksman said: "I worked very hard on my fitness while I was out with that injury and it is starting to pay off now.

"Harry Kewell has scored and helped create a lot of goals this season and I think he and I play well up front together."

They may exchange few words, if any, off the field, but Viduka and Kewell are a potent force, and with Bakke making more forward runs from midfield, City's defence could be in for a torrid time.

Victory tomorrow at Maine Road would leapfrog United above City and take them into the top ten for the first time since mid-November.

Venables said: "After so many games in a short space of time it's been good to have a clear week to prepare for the visit to Manchester City.

"We are looking to keep our winning run going so we can carry on climbing steadily up the league."

Leeds will be looking to keep their fourth successive clean sheet.

Dominic Matteo, who returned against Scunthorpe after missing 18 games with knee trouble, is expected to continue at left-back where he replaced the out-of-form Ian Harte.

Teddy Lucic, who has missed the last two games, has had further treatment for a tightened hamstring this week and a late decision will be made on his fitness.

Meanwhile, Venables is no nearer to signing Brazilian World Cup midfielder Kleberson as the replacement for Lee Bowyer.

Despite reports to the contrary, Leeds have not yet agreed a fee with Atletico Paranaense's for Kleberson, who wants to play in the Premiership.

That gives Leeds the whip hand over Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen, who are also keen on the 23-year-old Brazilian.

Venables is desperate to bring in a top-class midfielder, with Olivier Dacourt completing his loan move to Roma yesterday, and Middlesbrough set to bid £3.5million for Seth Johnson.

Leeds originally wanted Kleberson on loan until the end of the season, but Paranaense are only interested in a permanent transfer.

If United draw their FA Cup fourth round tie at Gillingham on Saturday, January 25, the replay will be at Elland Road on Tuesday, February 4 (7.45pm).

Updated: 12:22 Friday, January 10, 2003