DAN Harding today sent his former Leeds United team-mates a chilling message: “Don't expect an easy ride tomorrow.”The Ipswich Town left back came to Portman Road last summer from Elland Road as part of the £450,000 deal that sawmidfielder Ian Westlake move in the opposite direction.

By Elvin King

DAN Harding today sent his former Leeds United team-mates a chilling message: “Don't expect an easy ride tomorrow.”

The Ipswich Town left back came to Portman Road last summer from Elland Road as part of the £450,000 deal that saw

midfielder Ian Westlake move in the opposite direction.

Leeds, one of the top teams in Europe six years ago, are desperate for points, and defeat against Town could well sentence them to League One football - with just promotion-chasing Derby to visit in their final game.

But Harding has little sympathy.

“Of course I would not like to see Leeds go down,” he said. “But there will be no easing off on our part.

“The manager will not allow us to relax as he wants to win every match and this will certainly be no different.

“We may not have a lot to play for table-wise, but there will be no letting up as we want to set our stall out for next season.”

Harding has benefited more than Westlake from the move with Clacton-born Westlake having made just 21 starts this season - and he is still looking for his first Leeds goal.

He is out of the first team squad at the moment, while Harding has been a virtual ever-present only missing out through suspension and the birth of daughter Jessie who is now six weeks old.

“I still have a lot of friends at Leeds although many players and staff have left since I was on their books,” added Harding.

“But I was not happy there and was not getting a regular game.

“The opportunity came to move on - and it has proved a great move for me.

“It is a surprise that Leeds have struggled after reaching the play-offs last season, but our need to impress the manager and put a marker down for next season makes tomorrow's match just as important to us.”

Harding, 23, has made 43 starts and one substitute appearance for Town this season.

Leeds are third from bottom, one point behind Hull City who visit Cardiff City. Luton are already down and it would take a minor miracle for Southend to escape. The last relegation place looks to be between Leeds and Hull.