Leeds United: Whites set for bumper Newcastle crowd

Leeds have opened parts of the East Stand Upper in response to a level of demand which has pushed the Elland Road crowd above 30,000 for the first time since May 2015.

United cleared that figure for a 0-0 draw with Rotherham United on the last day of the 2014-15 season but their recent surge under boss Garry Monk will see the turn-out spike impressively when Championship leaders Newcastle arrive for a televised game on November 20.

Leeds are unbeaten in seven matches at home, the last of those a 2-0 victory over Burton Albion on Saturday, and the form of Monk’s squad has taken the club to within one point of the Championship play-offs.

Officials at Leeds are likely to open more of the East Stand Upper if tickets continue to sell quickly and the club are hopeful that the clash will edge towards a sell-out. Newcastle have been allocated 2,764 tickets and total sales have passed 32,000 in the past 24 hours.

Leeds have not seen a sell-out for a league match at Elland Road since the day of their promotion from League One in 2010, when the crowd against Bristol Rovers topped 38,000. An FA Cup replay with Arsenal in 2011 also edged over the 38,000 mark.

Their biggest attendance last season, meanwhile, was 29,311 for a Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town.

Monk has fought to turn around both United’s season and their results at home after a poor start and speaking after the win over Burton, the Leeds head coach said: “I think the crowd are really into it now.

“If I go back to earlier in the season, that type of performance (against Burton) could have turned into anxiety and given the opposition a lift to go on and win the game. Now you see our mentality’s strong and the crowd respect that. They’re coming with the team. That relationship’s growing all the time and it’s important that we continue in that way.”