Hunter warns Leeds

Norman Hunter's tackling was feared by opponents

Former Leeds United and England star Norman Hunter has warned his former club against complacency when they tackle Cardiff in the FA Cup.

Leeds are riding high in the Premiership and are only one step from making the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.

But Hunter, an uncompromising defender capped 28 times by England, says that Sunday's trip to Ninian Park must not be taken lightly by Leeds.

"There's no such thing as an easy tie in the FA Cup," said the 58-year-old.

"I can speak from experience because I was in a team that went down at Colchester.

"We were top of the First Division, as it was then, we were thinking we could just walk it and we got knocked out 3-2.

If Leeds play to their full potential and Cardiff do, then Leeds will win

Norman Hunter

"There's always shocks in the Cup and it's how you approach it and who has the luck on the day.

"But if Leeds play to their full potential and Cardiff do, then Leeds will win - but the Cup doesn't always happen that way."

Leeds sit atop the Premiership after their 3-0 win over West Ham midweek, chasing their first league title since the 1991/92 season.

Hunter believes that the team's recent good run of form has been helped by the return to action of Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer, following their trial on grievous bodily harm charges.

"I'm pleased to say that since they've both come back, the team has started to win," Hunter added.

"Since Jonathan Woodgate has come back in defence they've had three clean sheets and three wins.

"It's (the trial and aftermath) been an ongoing event up here and we're fed up with it.

"What we want to do now is let these lads get on with what they're good at, which is playing football."