Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has hailed the work of Steve Thompson ahead of the former Huddersfield Town coach’s return to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.

Thompson left Town last month to become assistant to Redfearn, his former teammate at Bolton Wanderers.

The 50-year-old had worked as right-hand man to Mark Robins before becoming joint first-team coach with Steve Eyre following Chris Powell’s appointment as Town manager in September.

Former Blackpool coach Thompson has provided valuable experienced back-up for Redfearn, United’s third head coach this season after Dave Hockaday and Darko Milanic.

“The main difference with having Thommo here is the extra work it allows us to do,” explained Redfearn, who was a teammate of Powell’s at Charlton Athletic in 1998-99.

“Before I was basically looking after the entire group and it was difficult to split the players up and focus on the areas we needed to improve on.

“We’re in a position now where he can look at the front the of the team and work on their movement and I can take the back four for a proper session.”

With centre-back Giuseppe Bellusci beginning a two-match ban after being sent off during United’s 1-0 home win over Bournemouth, new loan signing Sol Bamba could feature.

Like midfielder Granddi Ngoyi, he is on loan from Italian club Palermo to boost Redfearn, whose 20th-placed side trail Town by five places and as many points in the Championship.

The Elland Road chief is optimistic about striker Steve Morison (hip and thigh) as Leeds seek back-to-back wins for the first time since beating Bournemouth and Town in September.

“We’ve been improving bit by bit,” said Redfearn. “If you look at the results since the turn of the year, we’ve been a competitive side.

“To beat a team like (leaders) Bournemouth was no mean feat. But we ran Bolton close at their place and we were unlucky not to beat Birmingham at home.

“You’re talking about three form teams there, and it wouldn’t have been an injustice we had come out of those three games with nine points.”