Leeds United's Aussie ace Harry Kewell is being tipped to make his first appearance of the season at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

The striker is expected to feature in United's reserves against their Aston Villa counterparts in a rearranged FA Premier Reserve League North clash (kick-off 7pm).

Earlier this month, winger Jason Wilcox marked his comeback for United in a reserve match at Bootham Crescent and sources at Elland Road have indicated Kewell will do the same tomorrow.

Kewell has yet to feature this season after being ruled out with an Achilles injury suffered in the summer that later required surgery. However, in recent weeks, Kewell has been undergoing intensive one-on-one sessions with Leeds physio Alan Sutton at the club's Thorp Arch training complex

He is known to be targeting a first-team return around Christmas.

Hopes that United's new £18-million defender, Rio Ferdinand, could don a Leeds shirt for the first time at Bootham Crescent tomorrow appear to be diminishing.

Although Leeds manager David O'Leary is anxious to see Ferdinand pep up his match fitness after sitting out United's 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Elland Road yesterday, it is understood the 22-year-old has a slight groin strain.

With the England international poised to make his debut for Leeds when they travel to Filbert Street to play Leicester City this Saturday it is unlikely O'Leary will risk aggravating the problem.

The Aston Villa line-up could feature the flamboyant former Tottenham winger David Ginola, who has been unable to claim a regular starting role since his move to the Midlands and was an unused sub on Saturday when Villa drew 1-1 at Coventry.

The Football Association were today awaiting reports from match officials before deciding whether to launch an investigation into an apparent tunnel incident following Arsenal's defeat at Leeds.

A protective cordon was thrown around referee Dermot Gallagher in the tunnel at Elland Road as a number of Arsenal players lost their cool following their 1-0 loss.