DAVID Healy is likely to come under fire from Burnley fans at Elland Road tonight (7.45pm).

The Northern Ireland international only moved to Elland Road last week from Preston - deadly Lancastrian rivals of the Turf Moor followers.

And he may get an even hotter reception when he returns to Deepdale on Saturday when he faces his old North End team-mates.

Healy, who made his Leeds debut in the 2-0 home loss against Championship leaders Wigan on Sunday, will take it all in his stride as he tries to fashion an attacking partnership with Brian Deane.

Healy had scored in his first outing for Northern Ireland and Preston, but few opportunities came his way against Wigan to make it a hat-trick of debut goals.

Instead the 25-year-old created two excellent chances which fellow striker Deane spurned.

"I always like to set up chances," said Healy. "First and foremost as a striker you are known for scoring goals but I see myself as somebody who can create chances and make the right passes as well.

"I want to start repaying the gaffer and everyone else at the club who has put their faith in me. Hopefully I can start doing that in the next few games because we are falling behind in the league and we need some good results now."

Goal-shy Deane is the latest target for the Leeds boo boys but York-born central defender Matthew Kilgallon has called foul on the striker's critics.

Much travelled Deane, 36, has scored just once since his return to Elland Road from West Ham in the summer.

But England Under-21 international Kilgallon leapt to Deane's defence by claiming there's far more to his game than goals.

Kilgallon said: "The crowd have got to see how hard Brian works and question the service to him. Sometimes he picks up other people's rubbish with the ball just belted in his general direction.

"If we didn't have him in the team I don't know what would happen. He's so strong that he gets all the flick-ons. We have David Healy now and he is sharp enough to profit from Brian's hard graft."

Kilgallon has given manager Kevin Blackwell a selection problem for tonight's game. After a run of matches at left-back, Kilgallon served a one-match suspension and then came back in his favourite centre-half spot against Wigan.

He impressed in that role, but with skipper Paul Butler available to face Burnley after serving a two-match ban, Kilgallon is likely to move to left-back with top scorer Danny Pugh returning to a more advanced position.

Kilgallon said: "I'll just have to wait and see what the manager decides to do. I prefer playing centre-back, but I'll play anywhere to help the team. There are not many defenders in this division who can play at centre-back and left-back, but the manager has shown faith in me to do a job in either position."

Midfielder Sean Gregan is a doubt for tonight's game with a groin injury.

Mascot Charles

EIGHT-year-old Charles Hollinrake, who attends Crayke Primary School, will be the Burnley mascot at Elland Road tonight.

His father, Kevin, is one of the directors of York-based Hunters the Estate Agents, who sponsor the Clarets.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, November 03, 2004