Jerome Thomas could still feature for Leeds United in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea.
The 29-year old winger, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, produced a man-of-the-match display for the Whites as he scored the opener in their 2-0 home victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
The Championship club next meet the reigning European champions in the league cup but Whites boss Neil Warnock says he has to tread warily with Thomas as he tries to get him fully fit to anchor a positive run in the league.
"I am still trying to get Jerome fit enough to play a full 90 minutes. We have to treat him with kid gloves,@ said Warnock.
"It is more important to me that he plays against Middlesbrough next Saturday than Chelsea on Wednesday, so we will have to see. Knowing Jerome, he will want to play against Chelsea.
"I won't play my full team and I am sure Chelsea won't, but they have more players they can rest than we have. I am sure it will be competitive, whatever team I put out."
