Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has defended his players after certain sections of the media had dubbed them a "dirty side".

The Whites have had four players sent off this season, but Grayson is adamant that his squad are being harshly treated by officials at the moment.

"When you look at them, you can't say we're a dirty team," he told the club's official website. "Look at the four cards we've had.

"Saturday's was a goalscoring opportunity from a kick by Andy Lonergan, Jonny's [Howson] red card was a wrong decision, [Max] Gradel's was nothing sinister, just two red cards, and Aidy White certainly wasn't a sending off.

"We're just being very unfortunate with the way things are going but it can't happen too frequently or we'll be out on our feet by Christmas time, playing with nine or ten men."

Grayson's side welcome Manchester United to Elland Road for a Carling Cup tie tomorrow evening.