Jones: Warnock wants to make daughter's dream come true
A pledge made to his daughter by Leeds manager Neil Warnock is powering the club's progress through the Capital One Cup.
United secured arguably the result of the third round when they knocked out Everton last time out, and another home draw is their reward, with Southampton heading to Elland Road.
Should they be seen off, the Championship promotion hopefuls will be in the last eight and veteran boss Warnock will be a step closer to making the wish of daughter Amy come true.
She has told the 63-year-old she wants him to manage Leeds in the final at Wembley next year, something which were it to come true would be Warnock's first appearance at the national stadium since it reopened in 2007.
In his role as a lower-league promotion specialist he was a regular visitor to the old Wembley for play-off finals, but he has yet to man the touchlines at the new one and his time appears to be running out.
That is why, according to assistant boss Mick Jones, Warnock's interest in the competition is higher than his coaching staff's.
"I think it's brilliant for the club and its profile" Jones said. "The Everton game was tremendous and everybody loved that, but to be honest, my mind is 30% tomorrow night and 70 per cent on Friday night against Brighton, because I know which is the most important.
"But Neil... Neil would love to manage at Wembley, love to. Top managers don't set sights on preferences but if Leeds United get to Wembley with Neil Warnock as manager, he would absolutely love it."
As one of Warnock's long-standing foot soldiers, Jones knows Warnock better than most too.
"It's spoken about (making his daughter's wish come true)," Jones added.
"Sometimes with Neil you can read between the lines, I can anyway, and I have no doubt what he wants."
Southampton will be looking to get back to winning ways after Sunday's 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham.
"It is a very, very quick turnaround," Saints boss Nigel Adkins said.
"In the Capital One Cup we have utilised the squad and we will do that again on Tuesday night up at Leeds.
"We have got a squad of players that all work very, very hard and we'll utilise the squad on Tuesday evening."
Jay Rodriguez netted twice in the previous round as Saints saw off Sheffield Wednesday with relative ease.
The former Burnley striker netted his third goal for his new club yesterday, lashing home from close range in the second half.
"He has come in, he is a young lad and works ever so hard on the training ground," Adkins said of Rodriguez.
"He works ever so hard on the pitch and needs to have a little bit of belief.
"His movement is exceptional as far as I am concerned. He has got a very good goalscoring record so we know he can scores goals but, like everyone, he needs a little bit of time."
Source: PA
