The Leeds United boss admitted a home tie against Stuart McCall's side was the perfect draw for the Elland Road club, who will start among the favourites to win the Football League's lower league competition next month.

City will break from their League Two campaign to make the short journey to Elland Road on September 2, and McCall revealed his anxiety over a difficult first-round match after seeing his side routed 4-0 by Huddersfield Town in the Carling Cup last week.

But McAllister said: "People look at the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and don't see it as high profile, but we've got a game against our next door neighbours and I'm sure it will attract a good contingent over from Bradford.

"I don't think they've played here for a while and that fact means the game could create a record crowd for a JPT match."

United's last meeting with City came on the penultimate weekend of the 2000-01 Premiership season when Bradford suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at Elland Road.

Leeds scored five goals in the first half to set up their biggest win over the Valley Parade side, and McCall is desperate to avoid a similar scoreline in the wake of City's early exit from the League Cup at the Galpharm Stadium.

McCall, who was born in Leeds, said: "People say you've nothing to lose, as nobody expects you to do anything, but there is a lot to lose if you go there and capitulate like we did at Huddersfield.

"I'm not saying that's going to happen again, but I'm aware of the pitfalls that could lie ahead at this time.

"They (Leeds) are favourites to win the championship in the division above us and they've got a lot of good players."

City are in good form after beginning their League Two term with successive victories over Notts County and Macclesfield, and Leeds were beaten at home by Bury in the quarter-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last season.

United are still licking their wounds after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Oldham at Elland Road, a result which left McAllister fuming, but the club have received the backing of their former defender Sean Gregan, who helped to secure the Latics' victory.

Gregan said: "If you finish above Leeds you're probably going to go up. I think they've got what it takes to go up and they can always strengthen as well.

"I don't think Leeds will be very far away in the end."

Meanwhile, United's reserves will begin their Central League East campaign against Huddersfield Town at Elland Road tonight (KO 7pm).

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