Noel Whelan has stressed that Leeds United were missing three to four starters against Derby County, while the Rams were missing just one.
Marcelo Bielsa's side dominated Derby at Pride Park on the way to a 1-0 win and the advantage in the Championship playoff semi-final between the two clubs.
Derby could not count on striker Martyn Waghorn, but Whelan insists Leeds were missing players such as Pontus Jansson and Tyler Roberts, indicating that the hosts cannot blame injury issues for the Whites bettering them.
And the former Leeds star warned Derby that things will be even tougher at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
"I mean, what are they missing? Waghorn", Whelan said on BBC Radio Leeds after the game.
"What are we missing? About three or four.
"So, we're going to have Jansson back probably, maybe Tyler Roberts.
"A different proposition at Elland Road as well, with a hostile crowd. I can't wait for Wednesday night, bring it on."
Derby have now lost all three of their meetings with Leeds this season and look to have a mountain to climb at Elland Road in the second leg.
The winners of the semi-final tie will face either Aston Villa or West Brom in the playoff final, and will know who they could play by the time they kick off on Wednesday.
