In a turbulent week for Leeds United on and off the field, a Yorkshire derby against Doncaster Rovers provides a fiery finale that could either ease their troubles or compound their misery.

Massimo Cellino's attempted takeover was blocked by the Football League earlier this week, leaving the club in limbo and potentially on the verge of another financial crisis.

Cellino has confirmed that he will appeal the decision, although both his chances and the club's future remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Events on the pitch also took a turn for the worse this week, with the Football League's decision being followed up the next day with a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Bournemouth.

They did end a six-match winless streak with a narrow 2-1 victory over Millwall last Saturday, but a run of four defeats in their last five matches have left the club 14th in the table, with their playoff aspirations a distant memory.

The rest of this campaign will be dedicated to preparing the club for next season, both on and off the field, as Brian McDermott hopes for a much smoother year - if indeed he is still in charge.

A Yorkshire derby could be the perfect tonic for a timely morale boost, although they will have mixed memories of such encounters this season having thrashed Huddersfield Town 5-1 but also been thumped by Sheffield Wednesday 6-0.

Leeds have won six in a row against Doncaster, but McDermott does have a couple of injury concerns as he looks to make it seven, with Jimmy Kebe and Paddy Kenny both doubtful.

For Rovers, a victory over their local rivals would not only give them bragging rights, but could all but secure their Championship status for another season at least.

They are currently eight points clear of the bottom three with eight games remaining, and their next two matches are winnable encounters at home to Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers.

A 2-0 defeat to Burnley on Tuesday ended Doncaster's mini-revival, which had seen them go four games unbeaten and concede just one goal in that time - a fine return for a side with the fourth-worst defensive record in the division.

That run will have given them plenty of confidence, however, and with Leeds lacking that precious commodity they will look to take advantage on Saturday.

To do that, however, they will need to improve their miserly home record, which has seen them go 15 matches without winning on the road, including failing to score in their last five.

Indeed, only Millwall and Barnsley have amassed fewer points on their travels this season, with Doncaster's sole away victory coming at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday in another Yorkshire derby.

Paul Dickov could opt to name an unchanged team to the one that lost to Burnley, with defenders Jamie McCombe, Rob Jones, Gabriel Tamas and Bongani Khumalo still sidelined.

Recent form

Leeds: DLLLWL

Doncaster: LWWDWL

Possible starting lineups

Leeds: Butland; Byram, Pearce, Lees, Pugh; Austin, Murphy; Stewart, Mowatt, McCormack; Smith

Doncaster: Johnstone; Coppinger, Quinn, Meite, Husband; Duffy, Keegan, Wellens, Cotterill; Sharp, Brown

Sports Mole says: 2-2