Newell keeps surprise start in perspective

The Championship newcomers have beaten Crystal Palace and Southampton - both relegated from the Premiership last season.

Leeds have been tipped as promotion contenders so another Hatters win would provide a confidence boost, even though Newell is refusing to accept mere survival as a target for the season.

"All we have done is prove to ourselves that we might be able to cope at this level," Newell said. "I will not say that my ambition is to stay in this league, because that is a negative ambition. There is no reason why my players should not have confidence. They deserved a chance to prove themselves at this level"

Newell's counterpart at Elland Road, Kevin Blackwell, is wary of facing a team with a winning habit formed by winning the League One title last season.

"They have been winning regularly for two years now and it gives you so much confidence," said Blackwell.

"Their team spirit at the moment is the best in the division. Their belief among themselves is absolutely total and they are focused on what they are doing and everything is coming off."

Sheffield United are the only other side to have recorded two wins from two, but their manager, Neil Warnock, is expecting a tough test from a Queen's Park Rangers side he sees as similar to his own.

"Ian Holloway's teams are much like mine," Warnock said. "He expects them to give everything and has put together a good team. Paul Furlong is a great professional and everyone knows what Marc Bircham can do. I tried to get him to come to United a few years ago."

Crewe have had a surprisingly bright start to the season following their narrow escape from relegation last term. After a win and a draw, Dario Gradi's side travel to Brighton with their manager looking for another improved display.

Plymouth also have four points and they could be bolstered by the inclusion of Taribo West, the Nigeria centre-back who has been cleared to make his competitive debut. West, 31, could face his former club Derby at Home Park.

Burnley host Coventry at Turf Moor, Leicester and Ipswich meet at the Walkers Stadium and Millwall host Stoke at the New Den.

Among the other promotion hopefuls, Wolves meet Hull at Molineux, Norwich (the other relegated side last season) and Palace meet at Carrow Road and Reading travel to Preston.

Finally, Harry Redknapp and Sir Clive Woodward take their winless Southampton side to face the south coast club's former manager, Paul Sturrock, at Sheffield Wednesday. The Yorkshire side, promoted via the play-offs, are also looking for their first win of the season.