At Leeds United, Gary McAllister is blessed with a large and talented squad, and it is fair to say that Leeds are as well-equipped as any other club to cope with the play-offs.

But the business end of the season is the time when you need your most capable players fit and available, and United need every key player available for the weeks to come.

Leeds lost Alan Sheehan to a two-match ban after their win over Doncaster Rovers, and Jonathan Douglas will miss tomorrow's game at Millwall on the back of the red card he picked up against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

Jermaine Beckford's fitness, meanwhile, was such a concern that Gary was not prepared to risk him at the Galpharm Stadium, and it's for these reasons that I hope to see United tie up a play-off position this weekend.

Walsall, Brighton and Tranmere Rovers will need to drop points in order for Leeds to achieve that, but the sooner sixth-place is secured the better.

A couple of dead rubbers ahead of the play-offs would give Gary the chance to rest those players who need it and to hold back those players who are carrying a sizeable or dangerous tally of cautions.

No doubt he wants to finish the term in style and head into the play-offs as the form team – assuming, that is, that the arbitration panel which met this week does not offer Leeds a greater prize – but it would be nice from his point of view to play out the regular term with the minimum of pressure on him and his squad.

The year as a whole has been very demanding and McAllister's introduction to the manager's job has been a stressful one, but he will share my opinion that United at their strongest have every chance of winning the play-offs.

A small or empty list of absentees will help no end.

To guarantee sixth place tomorrow Leeds must keep their side of the bargain by producing a victory at the New Den, and it is slightly frustrating that Tuesday's West Yorkshire derby went the way of Huddersfield.

The game proved once again that form is no factor in derby matches, and I'd have to say that Huddersfield deserved their win.

Speaking to their caretaker, Gerry Murphy, afterwards, he was at a loss to explain why the Terriers are unable to play like that every week.

Clearly, Leeds missed the pace of Beckford up front and resorted more to the type of direct tactics that were in use at the start of the season, but I'm sure it will prove to be a minor blip.

Millwall won't roll over tomorrow – their fans wouldn't have it, especially not against Leeds – but I can't see Gary's players struggling with the atmosphere.