Beckford struck twice as Leeds began their tour of the Republic of Ireland with a 2-0 win over Galway United, and McAllister hopes to give the 24-year-old the best possible chance of exceeding the haul of 20 goals he produced last season during the 2008-09 term.

United's manager is moving closer to his fourth summer signing – believed to be a forward – after Leeds reached a deal with his unnamed target's club, but Beckford's pre-season form has once again highlighted him as a priceless part of McAllister's squad.

The ex-Wealdstone forward scored in last week's 1-1 draw with York City, and two well-taken goals in either half set up yesterday evening's win over eircom Premier Division side Galway at Terryland Park.

TO SEE A SLIDESHOW FROM UNITED'S WIN OVER GALWAY, CLICK HERE.

McAllister said: "We've got to watch that Jermaine doesn't peak during pre-season but he's been looking lively right from the start.

"He got 20 goals last season and he's come back hungry, wanting to show that it wasn't a freak. He wants to prove he's a guy who can follow it up with an even better season.

"The test of a player at any level is being able to repeat, and that's the demand we've put on him. He's set his standards high, but he's got enough in his locker to better that tally next season.

"He looks fit and he looks lean, and we just need to get a bit more help in and around him. We're close to a couple of signings and I'd still like a bit more firepower."

United's defeat in last season's League One play-off final seemed to increase the threat of Beckford leaving Elland Road this summer, but McAllister is under no pressure to sell the forward and has included him at the centre of his plans for next season.

"There's always going to be speculation with Jermaine because goalscorers are hard to come by," said McAllister.

"But I don't see any reason why he'd want to leave Leeds United. The club's in a good position and I've got a feeling in my gut that we're ready to move forward."

Beckford was one of 11 players who completed an hour of last night's game, and United's victory was secured by the time he left the field in the 63rd minute.

McAllister's starting line-up also featured out-of-contract defender Paul Telfer, who flew with Leeds to Galway on Monday and made his first appearance in a United shirt at Terryland Park.

The 37-year-old was compelled to terminate his contract at Bournemouth last season due to a persistent foot injury, but he eased through 73 minutes last night and helped United to keep a clean sheet against a Galway team who competed gamely but lacked quality in the final third of the pitch.

McAllister confirmed that Telfer – his former team-mate at Coventry City – had a serious possibility of winning a deal at Elland Road this summer, saying: "He looked promising.

"Paul's a guy who's played at a higher level and he's not attached to anybody so he could be an option. He was steady and he's very experienced."

United's performance last night brought a satisfied reaction from their manager and the club are now preparing for their second match abroad, against Bray Wanderers on Sunday.

McAllister said: "The first XI got an hour and we'll flip the team around when we go to Bray.

"The pleasing thing is that we've picked up no injuries, and there was some good play in the first half.

"When the substitutes went on it got a bit scrappy but the team that played the first hour didn't do badly.

"You could see at certain stages that Galway are halfway through their season, but we were pretty comfortable by the end."