Fowler back with a goal

England striker Robbie Fowler marked his first match of the season with a trademark goal for Leeds United reserves last night.

Fowler, making his delayed comeback from a July hip operation, was at the far post to head a 54th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Wakefield. More than 3,600 fans braved the rain to see the £11million striker play 68 minutes in his first game since facing Denmark in the World Cup.

Fowler said afterwards: 'I tired towards the end but it was great to be back.' His return cannot come soon enough for Leeds manager Terry Venables. Fans chanted the name of sacked former boss David O'Leary during Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Liverpool - Leeds' fifth successive game without a victory.

Leeds have scored only twice during that spell, but, from being blessed with a strike force to die for, Venables - already forced to sell Robbie Keane - has been hit by real problems.

Alan Smith has not trained for two days after needing six stitches in a knee injury and will have a fitness test before Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough. Venables said: 'If it was a bit deeper, he could have been out a long time.'

Mark Viduka, last season's top scorer, has been dropped and could be a January target for admirers Roma and Valencia, while Michael Bridges, who played last night, needs more matches. Venables is still tracking Atletico Paranaense's Brazil World Cup-winning midfielder Kleberson.