Hughes flew home from Eire on Friday to be with his wife, who is expecting their first child, and the midfielder will hone his fitness with a run-out against Farsley Celtic this evening.

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Gary McAllister included him in his starting line-ups for both of the club's pre-season friendlies against York City and Galway United, but Hughes travelled back to England before Sunday's clash with Bray Wanderers and reported to Thorp Arch for training yesterday.

The 30-year-old is likely to be one of several experienced players fielded at Throstle Nest, where United's reserves will make their first public outing of pre-season.

The club's second string played two behind-closed-doors matches last week, beating Darlington 3-0 and drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United, and a number of trialists have already been given the chance to impress reserve-team boss Neil Thompson.

Liverpool youngster Astrit Ajdarevic featured against Darlington but sustained a minor hamstring injury, and United have cut short the midfielder's trial as a result of his fitness problem. However, the 18-year-old could still be invited to train with the club's senior squad at a later date.

Youngster Fabian Delph is set to arrive back at Elland Road this week following England's elimination from the Euro Under-19 Championship in the Czech Republic, but he will not figure tonight.

United squad: Edwards, Darville, Wilkinson, Milne, Westlake, Hughes, Hotchkiss, Weston, Sorsa, Carole, Elliott, Ovington, Cartman, White, Williams, Falkingham, Ross.