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LEEDS UNITED: It was Hell-and Road for Leon Constantine
Leon Constantine's career with Leeds United is aptly summarised by the fact that if he starts and finishes Northampton Town's FA Cup tie tonight, it will be only his second 90-minute appearance at Elland Road.
Constantine was part of United's squad for almost a year but he was not a player with whom the club's fans ever had the chance to become familiar. A trail of injuries and perpetual misfortune meant his influence at Elland Road was only fleeting.
The 30-year-old agreed to make a fresh start in June when he left Leeds to sign for Northampton and he is optimistic of being given the chance of a full appearance during tonight's first-round match.
Constantine started one game at Elland Road during his season with Leeds – a Johnstone's Paint Trophy match against Bury – and played only seven times in all, the sum total of an opportunity which was always at the mercy of injuries.
The striker broke his ankle in summer 2007 and cracked a toe last November, two months before his substitute appearance against Oldham Athletic on New Year's Day – his final outing for Leeds – ended with him nursing a broken arm. But Constantine's policy was never to complain and he does not expect to feel any regret on his arrival at Elland Road this evening.
"I didn't have a lot of luck at Leeds but I can't blame anyone for that," he said. "I don't think there was anything I could have done to change my time there.
"Every injury I had was a major one and they were all unavoidable. Some players have hamstring strains that affect them right through their careers or knee problems that never heal properly but you can't really guard against broken bones. I was just unlucky.
"As far as playing football went, my time at Leeds was a big disappointment but I try not to think of it like that. I enjoyed being with the squad for a year and I appreciated the chance to be part of the club. To be honest, I've got very fond memories.
"The fans didn't see much of me but they were supportive whenever I spoke to them. I don't know whether I'll start tonight or what sort of reception I'll get but I'll enjoy going back. Hopefully, I'll enjoy the result as well."
Constantine has already made more appearances for Northampton than he recorded for Leeds, and he scored in a 3-1 defeat against Walsall on Saturday, his first goal since the opening day of the season.
The loss at Bescot Stadium was Northampton's sixth away from home and their manager, Stuart Gray, might have preferred to see tonight's televised tie drawn at Sixfields.
His squad buckled weakly during their league game at Elland Road last season but gave a more convincing performance in the return fixture. Since the start of 2008, Northampton have lost only twice at home and theirs is the only unbeaten record in League One. They have, however, fallen short of striking a balance between their results at Sixfields and those achieved on the road.
Until last weekend, when Leeds won at Cheltenham Town, Gary McAllister could sympathise with Gray's position, and the poor away form that United were suffering from temporarily is the antithesis of their consistency at Elland Road.
Leeds have claimed seven straight home wins and an eighth this evening would enter the club into the draw for the second round of the FA Cup.
Constantine agrees that an improvement from Northampton will be needed tonight but says Gray's squad has the capacity to claim a rare away win at Elland Road.
"It's a tough ground to go to," he said. "I know that because I sat in Elland Road so many times last season and I saw the atmosphere that away teams have to deal with.
"But we're a good side when everything clicks and I can't see there being much between the teams.
"Leeds are very strong at home and we haven't been great away from home, but this is a break from the league and the FA Cup inspires players. I don't think you can read too much into the league form.
"I hope I'll get the chance to start and it was a little bonus for me to get a goal on Saturday, even though the team lost. I want to go on a run now and I'd love to score at Elland Road tonight."
He experienced that feeling twice while at Leeds, finding the net in a 2-1 defeat to Bury and scoring a consolation against Oldham on January 1.
Constantine would rather have left the club with a more substantial record behind him but a relatively clear bill of health during his short time at Northampton has been of more importance.
The striker's fitness failed every time he attempted to restart his career at Elland Road and his only clear run of appearances came during a loan period with Oldham in March and April.
It was clear by then that McAllister would allow him to leave Leeds in the summer, a year before the end of his contract.
"The most important thing to me is being healthy," Constantine said. "When you've had the injuries that I had last season, you're just grateful to be fit and available for selection week in, week out.
"I'm obviously looking forward to the Leeds game, but I've always looked forward to every game.
"I wish I'd played more for Leeds but I don't really think about that now. I've moved on, I'm settled and I'm playing football. That's all you can ask for."
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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