Constantine broke an ankle, a toe and an arm in one year at Elland Road, the epitome of an annus horribilis, and he left Leeds United in July after a transfer which never had the opportunity to succeed. His appearances totalled seven and his goals two.

Far from following Constantine's unlucky path, however, Showunmi intends to match up to Jermaine Beckford by competing with the ex-Wealdstone forward for the position of United's top scorer.

He already trails Beckford by three goals and lost his starting place to Luciano Becchio before last weekend's League One game at Yeovil Town, but Showunmi possesses the confidence to believe that he can make himself immovable at Elland Road.

Beckford scored 20 goals last season, five more than Showunmi produced for Bristol City during the previous term, but the Nigerian international does not believe it is a natural requirement for him to trail behind his new team-mate during the present campaign.

A place among the substitutes is Showunmi's probable role during tomorrow's League One game against Bristol Rovers at Elland Road with the form and fitness of Argentine Becchio improving by the match, but he still expects to make an impact, with or without a starting position.

"I'll just say that Leeds United haven't seen the best of me yet," Showunmi admitted.

"I've got two goals under my belt, which is a good boost for me, and I'm ready to go again tomorrow. The manager has to make his decisions.

"Both me and Luciano are good foils for Jermaine, and we can create space for him behind defences. We've all played together since pre-season and I think the three of us will get goals this year.

"When I played for Bristol City I scored 15 goals in one season, and I'm looking to push on and score more than that this year. I think I can do it.

"I've got two so far and Jermaine is on five already. We'll see where we are at the end of the season, but it's healthy competition."

Any concerns McAllister may have had about the effect on Showunmi of dropping him to the bench so soon after the start of the season were allayed by the striker scoring 14 minutes before the end of Tuesday night's defeat of Crystal Palace in the second round of the Carling Cup.

More satisfying still was the sight of all three of McAllister's strikers contributing to the 4-0 scoreline, and Showunmi, Beckford and Becchio have shared nine of United's 12 goals this season, reassuring the club's manager that his frontline is in working order.

United's failure to keep a clean sheet in a league fixture this season is more of a worry, and a significant reason behind their total of four points after three matches.