Elland back for Howson but there’s

BORO need to prove at Leeds they can start to make a bigger impact in midfield, especially after allowing Sunderland the opportunity to enjoy more possession in the Tees-Wear derby. In this respect, a great deal rests on the ability of experienced midfield duo Grant Leadbitter and Jonny Howson to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

It’s a big game in particular for Howson, a £5m summer signing from Norwich City, who is returning to the club which he supported as a boy and where he began his professional career.

Howson is unlikely to receive the kind of hostile reception which awaits manager Garry Monk, but he can probably expect to receive some booing.

Morley-born Jonny progressed through the Leeds Academy and was a teenage whizz-kid who broke into the Leeds side at the age of 18. He was still only 19 when he became the club’s youngest captain since Billy Bremner.

He was a key part of the Leeds midfield for several years until he was sold to Norwich in January, 2012, when Leeds announced they had “reluctantly accepted” the offer from the Canaries.

Howson gave Norwich sterling service over five-and-a-half years and, at the age of 29, is arguably approaching the peak of his abilities.

There were reports that he might return to Leeds last summer, but it was Monk who came calling and Boro stumped up the £5m asking price.

Howson admits he will put emotion to one side this afternoon, saying: “I grew up supporting Leeds and have always