ALAN SMITH v RIO FERDINAND

Leeds United v Manchester United

They were Leeds team-mates last season before Rio upped and left to the other side of the Pennines. They both played their part in England's draw against Portugal last weekend but no quarter will be given at Elland Road this Saturday when they clash as direct rivals

BEST KNOWN FOR

Smith: New England star, temper, Yorkshire's boy next door

Ferdinand: King of cool, 30million price tag, leaving Leeds

RECENT FORM

Smith: Has made an outstanding start to the season. On World Cup standby after impressing in the European under-21 championship, he didn't get to Japan but compensated with an outstanding header against Portugal last weekend, his first England goal. If that wasn't enough, he then thumped Leeds United's second in an impressive midweek win at Newcastle

Ferdinand: Made all the summer headlines after starring in the World Cup and then leaving Leeds for Old Trafford. Injury prevented him from starting the campaign but hasn't put a foot wrong since although United's form is not championship-winning, most notably their home defeat against Bolton on Wednesday night

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THEMSELVES

Smith: "Football's all about highs and lows, you learn that. It was a great feeling scoring for England, but it's Premiership business as usual again."

Ferdinand: "I began to think I'm invincible. But I never forget how lucky I am." Ferdinand plays an ambassadorial role for Peckham following the Stephen Lawrence and Damilola Taylor tragedies

HISTORY

Smith: Homegrown talent who went through the youth ranks and was just 18 when he played a full season up front with Michael Bridges to help Leeds finish third in the Premiership. Has the knack of scoring important goals, in 2000 he hit the winner against Lazio in the Champions League that led to the Rome club allowing Sven Goran Eriksson joining England early. But his talents have sometimes been overshadowed by an aggressive temper, with former club manager David O'Leary branding him "a thug".

He will turn 22 next month and seems to be calming down, his booking at Newcastle on Wednesday was his first for 15 games. Shows great versatility, leading the line in his first England start last Saturday and then switching to wide on the right for his club side.

Ferdinand: Always destined for the top after impressing as a schoolboy at West Ham. Manchester United wanted to sign him when the defender was on loan at Bournemouth and were told 'no' by Hammers boss Harry Redknapp. Fergie eventually got his man five years later - but it cost him a British record fee.

In the meantime, Ferdinand made his international debut as a teenager, was a non-playing member of the 1998 World Cup squad and was one of England's shining stars of 2002. At club level, Leeds made him captain as his leadership qualities grew. But he can expect a rough reception when he goes back to Elland Road this weekend, handing in a transfer request when he returned from the World Cup to pave his way to Manchester United.

COMPARISONS

On Smith..."Shearer and Smith are different players. Shearer is a specialist, while Smithy is capable of doing other things and doing them well" - Leeds manager Terry Venables

On Ferdinand...: "He'll probably get hammered knowing the Leeds fans. The only reason he'll get stick is because we are so disappointed to lose him." - His former team-mate Alan Smith