Geoff Horsfield is set to return to the Hawthorns this week if he can shake off a hamstring strain that saw him substituted after an hour of last week's crucial win over Birmingham. The 33-year-old striker played a starring role alongside David Healy as Leeds recorded only their second home win of the camapign to climb out of the relegation zone. It was also John Carver's first game in temporary charge after Kevin Blackwell's departure and Leeds are still in a transitional phase. However, it is similar at Albion as they are also without a manager after Bryan Robson left by mutual consent earlier in the week. Horfield, however, is fully committed to the Leeds' cause now and, as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson exclusively, he fully expects them to be in the top six come May.
Q:WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN BRYAN ROBSON WAS REMOVED FROM HIS MANAGERIAL POST?
A:I still speak regularly to the likes of Richard Chaplow, Paul Robinson and Jonathan Greening and they said all the lads were gutted. I find it unusual that he has left after just eight games. Maybe if they weren't in the top four or five in January then they maybe could have reassessed the situation. I couldn't see this situation when I left to join Sheffield United in January.The lads would have run through a brick wall for him as they loved him to bits. I am gutted for him.
Q:IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME AT LEEDS ISN'T IT?
A:It was a different scenario at our club as we were struggling and second from bottom in the table and conceding too many goals. John Carver took us for the first time against Birmingham last week and thankfully we got a positive result. Expectations at Leeds are quite rightly very high and supporters expect you to win every game. Kevin (Blackwell) was unfortunate as there was a fine line between our results. We conceded late goals against QPR, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Cardiff, which cost us but, as a manager, it is all about results.
Q:HOW HAVE YOU FOUND JOHN CARVER?
A:John is a decent bloke and I hit it off with him from the moment I arrived at Elland Road. Balck is black and white is white with him and there are no grey areas at all. He was brought up under Sir Bobby Robson so his style of football is exciting and he is very straightforward.
Q:DO YOU THINK NIGEL PEARSON WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE AS MANAGER AT ALBION?
A:Nigel Pearson would be a good choice for manager but I don't know what Jeremy Peace (chairman) wants. It might be something totally different. I am looking forward to going back there on Saturday, hamstring permitting, as I never really got the opportunity to say good-bye to the supporters. The chance to move back up north with my kids and what I thought was the chance to play regular first team football were the main reason why I joined Sheffield United but it didn't work out there at all.
Q:WASN'T THERE A CHANCE YOU COULD HAVE RE-JOINED ALBION IN THE SUMMER?
A:I was close to moving back to Albion in the summer but it didn't materialise for whatever reason and Leeds came in, and I was delighted to join them. This is a huge club and I would imagine both us and Albion will be in the top six by the end of the season. When you look at both squads then we should be there or thereabouts.
Q:HOW DID YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH DAVID HEALY WORK AGAINST BIRMINGHAM LAST WEEK?
A:David is a very good player. He is nimble and quick and anyone who scores three goals against Spain like he did for Northern Ireland must be a great player. He didn't really click under Kevin Blackwell but he is definitely a natural goalscorer.
