Leeds United 3, Wolves 1

Max Gradel may yet pay a higher price for the rush of blood that saw him sent off in Leeds’ final match of last season.

The winger’s initial refusal to leave the pitch against Bristol Rovers in May earned him a club fine and a four-match ban.

His first Elland Road appearance since that moment of madness revealed the acceptable side of Gradel, whose merciless trickery tormented left back Jelle Van Damme, Wolves’ summer signing from Anderlecht.

Now, after scoring a spectacular 30-yard goal in Saturday’s pre-season win over the Premiership survivors, Gradel has to live with kicking his heels during those first four fixtures in the Championship.

And United manager Simon Grayson warned that the man from the Ivory Coast could face an even longer spell on the sidelines.

Grayson said: “Max showed here what he did last year at times. He is an impact player who works hard and has good quality. He hit a stunning goal and has been playing well in pre-season.

“He will suffer the consequences of his actions at the end of last season by missing the start of the new season and unfortunately for him, if somebody comes in and does well he might find himself out of the team for more than four games.”

Gradel had the bit between his teeth from the start, forcing Van Damme into conceding free-kicks which almost brought headed goals for Bradley Johnson and Luciano Becchio. Then the winger’s 36th-minute volley was sheer perfection, driven into the top corner.

Wolves equalised on the stroke of half-time when a tame free-kick from Matt Jarvis on the left eluded everyone in the goalmouth on its way into the net.

But Gradel helped Lloyd Sam restore the lead four minutes into the second half with a mazy run and cut-back for former Charlton winger Sam to score from close range.

Johnson headed Leeds’ third goal from Neil Kilkenny’s free-kick with nine minutes left, leaving Wolves manager Mick McCarthy to criticise his defence for failing to make a meaningful challenge.

Wolves may be an extra week away from starting their season but some of United’s attacking play was extremely encouraging and they fully deserved to round off their pre-season programme with a win, despite two exceptional saves from Kasper Schmeichel and another by substitute keeper Shane Higgs.

Both sides made a host of substitutions during the second half and United captain Richard Naylor hobbled off with a ‘dead leg’ which makes him doubtful for Saturday’s opening game against Derby.

Grayson is still seeking reinforcements in time for the big kick-off and by teatime today he should know the extent of the injuries to Robert Snodgrass and Billy Paynter, who were both missing against Wolves.

Leeds: Schmeichel (Higgs 62), Connolly (Hughes 78), Naylor (Bruce 62), Collins (Bromby 78), Bessone, Gradel (Grella 78), Howson, Kilkenny, Johnson, Sam (White 78), Becchio (Somma 62). Sub (not used): Lees. Attendance: 12,979.