United will begin their second year in England's third tier on the road after today's announcement of the fixture list for the forthcoming campaign handed Gary McAllister's side an opening-day visit to Glanford Park on Saturday, August 9.

Leeds face an intensive start to their term with a Carling Cup first-round tie away to League Two side Chester City scheduled for the week commencing August 11, and McAllister's players will host Oldham Athletic seven days after their initial league fixture.

United's only Yorkshire derbies in League One next season will be played against Huddersfield Town, with the first meeting between the clubs due to be played at Elland Road on November 15 and the return to be staged at the Galpharm Stadium on February 14.

McAllister's squad, meanwhile, have been handed a home game against Leicester City on Boxing Day, and United's supporters will celebrate the arrival of 2009 with a journey to Hereford United on January 3.

Other intriguing fixtures include the league visit to relegated Leicester – to be played at the Walkers Stadium – on April 13. United's first ever visit to the home of League Two champions MK Dons will take place on December 20.

Leeds began the 2007-08 League One campaign with a trip to Tranmere Rovers, and their 2-1 win at Prenton Park was the first of seven successive victories for the West Yorkshire club.

United produced a total of 27 wins during the regular term, concluding their 46-game schedule at home to Gillingham, and they will finish the 2008-09 schedule with a match at home to Northampton.

Meanwhile Leeds' first encounter with Carlisle United – the team they eliminated from the League One play-offs last term – will take place at Brunton Park on September 20.

See tonight's YEP for United's full 2008/09 fixture list