The West Yorkshire rivals will meet in the opening round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Elland Road this evening and McAllister is anticipating a spirited attitude from a team who he believes will last the pace in League Two over the next eight months.

City are serious contenders for promotion from their division – a reputation which Leeds are themselves carrying in League One – and United's manager is determined to ensure that the clubs' first local derby for seven years is not followed by two clashes in the league next term.

McAllister said: "They've started very well this season and the expectation over there is similar to what it is over here.

"They want promotion and we want promotion – that is the number one target. Bradford want to get into this division and we're striving to get out of it.

"It's a good Yorkshire derby and it would be even nicer if we were meeting in a higher league.

"People from the outside look at this competition – certainly clubs from the top division who aren't involved – and they don't know a lot about it. But when you see a fixture like this, a big Yorkshire derby, people will sit up and take notice.

"I've played in this game before and it's always quite tasty. We'll be looking to try and get one over Stuart (McCall) and his boys."

McAllister and McCall know each other well after years spent as room-mates when both players were part of the Scottish national squad.

McAllister said: "I have a lot of respect for Stuart. We go back a long way. He's an old room-mate of mine from my Scotland days so I know him very well.

"He was a privilege to play alongside but come Tuesday we'll be fighting (to get into) the next round."

United have already reached the third round of the Carling Cup, in which they will play Hartlepool United at Elland Road later this month, and progress in the northern section of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this evening would help to compensate for the frustration of their mixed results in League One.

McAllister is hoping Alan Sheehan will be fit to play after sustaining concussion 10 days ago and he will also take a late check on Paul Telfer who missed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers with a groin strain.

"We want momentum and confidence from these cups," McAllister said. "Hopefully Alan will be able to play and we'll keep our fingers crossed for Paul who I felt we missed on Saturday."

United, meanwhile, experienced a quiet end to the summer transfer window with Sebastien Carole's departure from Elland Road the only development of note.

The French winger – signed by Leeds from Brighton in 2006 – had been surplus to first-team requirements for much of McAllister's reign and his contract with United was terminated 12 months early by mutual consent yesterday afternoon.

Carole made 52 appearances for Leeds but was believed to be one of the club's higher earners and United were keen to remove him from their wage bill.