Andy O’Brien is expecting a few extra kicks from Cardiff’s players tonight, just days after rejecting the Welsh club’s offer and agreeing a permanent transfer from Bolton to Leeds.

O’Brien held talks with Cardiff manager Dave Jones last week but when United matched the terms offered to him, he decided to stay at Elland Road where he had been on loan.

Now the former Bantams central defender will be straining every sinew to put one over Leeds’ promotion rivals tonight.

He said: “I did right by Cardiff because I went there to talk to them. I didn’t mess anyone about by going behind anyone’s back and I was honest with everyone.

“I don’t know any of their lads so they may kick the you-know-what out of me – but I will be ready.”

O’Brien added: “Cardiff were the first people to make me an offer, so they maybe instigated the deal I got at Leeds.

“When Cardiff offered me a deal the first thing I did was ring Leeds and told them exactly what I had been offered. I told them if they offered me what Cardiff had I would sign and that is what happened.”

When O’Brien left first club Bradford for Newcastle, his first match was against his former employers.

He said: “I was lining up in the tunnel with people I was having banter with. It will be different at Cardiff though.”

O’Brien’s loan at Leeds began immediately after Cardiff’s 4-0 win at Elland Road in October and United have not lost since his arrival, going 12 games undefeated.

“People will say we have one of the worst defensive records but we have one of the best goal-scoring records too,” he said.

“If you took away the results against Preston, Barnsley and Cardiff, we would have the second or third best defensive record, so you have to keep things in perspective.”

Manager Simon Grayson recalled: “To lose 4-0 at home to Cardiff was very disappointing but the players dug in and said to themselves they were not going to accept any defeats like that for the rest of the season.

“That result against Cardiff was a real kick up the backside for one or two and an opportunity to put things right.

“We have certainly done that so far and what happened in October will provide motivation for the away fixture tonight, I am sure.

“The biggest motivation is to remain unbeaten until the end of the season and play against some of Cardiff’s big-hitters.

“Cardiff were showing a lot of confidence and quality when we played them at home but they’ve had a few bad results lately.

“Hopefully we can take advantage, while still being aware of what their individual brilliance can do at times.”