Leeds United defender Paul Huntington is back in light training after minor surgery on the groin injury that has kept him out since September.

Carlisle-born Huntington, who cost £200,000 from Newcastle in the summer of 2007, started this season as a first-choice central defender but his last league appearance came at home to Bristol Rovers at the end of August.

In the past, the operation he has just undergone would have kept him out for a further six to eight weeks, but Leeds hope to have him available sooner than that.

Manager Gary McAllister, who this week signed French defender Mansour Assoumani on an initial month’s contract, has vowed to strengthen his defence in January, so Huntington will face strong competition for a first-team place once he regains full fitness.

McAllister said: “The injury has been preying on Paul’s mind for some time so he has to be right mentally before we start thinking about bringing him back.”

Meanwhile, top-scorer Jermaine Beckford and winger Andy Robinson are recovering well from hamstring injuries and are close to a return.