Former Whites youngster says Leeds United's promotion rivals have unfinished business

Cairney spent nearly a decade with Leeds before being released as a 16-year-old and 13 years later the midfielder’s side are locked in battle with the Whites.

United lead the Championship and sit one point clear of second-placed West Brom with third-placed Fulham leading the chase towards the automatic promotion places.

Scott Parker’s Cottagers are six points behind West Brom and seven adrift of Leeds but Cairney says his side were thriving before the break in play due to the country’s battle against coronavirus.

Fulham - who will visit Leeds in United’s second game back on Saturday, June 27 - dealt the Whites a 2-1 defeat Craven Cottage in December and Parker’s side have won eight of their last 15 games, five of which have ended in draws.

“I think it’s good to get back to it and hopefully try and finish what we started,” said Cairney, speaking to Fulham’s website.

“I think the break came at the wrong time for us really.

"We were top of the form table for about 15 or 16 games so hopefully we can hit the ground where we left off.”

Fulham will feature in the Championship’s first game back on Saturday as the Cottagers host a west London derby against fourth-placed Brentford in a 12.30pm kick-off live on Sky.

The Bees are just four points behind Fulham.

Asked if his side were ready, Cairney said: “I think we feel like we have done a lot. I think you always question yourself whether you have done enough or too much and you never really know until it comes.

"But I think we are more than ready to start playing a game again because it feels like we have been running for ages.”

Cairney, though, will be taking on Brentford without being watched by his two biggest supporters - his mum and dad.

“I don’t think they have missed one since I was about seven years old,” said Cairney.

“I think they’ll find it tough but they are in the same boat as everyone else.”

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