Garcia Hopeful

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Richard Garcia is hoping to play some part in the weekend's FA Cup proceedings after making his Premiership debut at Elland Road earlier in the week.

It would complete a run in all three domestic competitions following his first team debut in the Worthington Cup tie at Reading on September 11th.

Injuries might give him the chance to be on the bench again, and he says:

"I'm nearly there; it is just a case of getting the chance, but I think I'm ready, and training with the first team gives you confidence."

Richard was having a promising time on loan at Leyton Orient last season before breaking a leg, and his contract is up this summer, but he says:

"You can't let it worry you - hopefully my best is good enough but I've been here since I was 15 and I wouldn't want to go anywhere else."

He can play as a striker, as he did when he came on at Elland Road, or a midfielder, but he says:

"I think I prefer midfield; I still don't mind playing up front but the more I play in midfield the more I enjoy it and it would be nice to considered as Michael and Joe's understudy.

"The three of us are all different players with different styles and it would be a case of matching their quality."

Of his Premiership bow, he says:

"The gaffer saw there was no pressure on me so he gave me a run; it was just a little taste, and Toddy and I play together regularly in the reserves.

"He said just work hard and enjoy it; the pace was so much quicker than you actually realise and Leeds were buzzing at 3-0 up, and knocking the ball around well.

"I'd rather come on when we are winning heavily; I'd like us to be in the top half."

His international ambitions were curtailed by the injury, robbing him of a place in the Australia U20 squad.

"My chance passed when I was injured," he says, "so the next thing is the next Olympics - hopefully I can make that squad.

"If you take Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, they have established themselves as great players in the Premiership - hopefully I can go on and do the same thing."