Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen has revealed that he sidelined new signing Mateusz Klich for the friendly match against Guiseley due to injury concerns.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined Leeds on a three-year-deal from FC Twente at the end of June, and made his debut run out with the Yorkshire club during their first friendly of the summer against Harrogate Town.
However, the match was a behind-closed-doors game meaning that the public were unable to see the midfielder in action.
It was expected that supporters would be able to see the Poland international within the Leeds squad for the first time during the match against fellow Yorkshire club Guiseley on Saturday, but his absence was noted.
Manager Christiansen explained to the Yorkshire Evening Post why he made the crucial decision to leave Klich out of the squad.
The boss revealed that the new arrival has a small injury, and the manager wanted him fighting fit for the beginning of their Championship campaign in a few weeks
Leeds boss told the newspaper: “He has some problems which we don’t want to risk.
“It’s important in pre-season that players aren’t out too long. If we risk him now and he gets injured again he will lose the whole of pre-season. That will affect his whole season because if you don’t have the balance, the basic fitness from pre-season, you will suffer over the whole season.”
Leeds’ next match is against North Ferriby on Wednesday night in a domestic friendly on before the Elland Road squad travel abroad to Austria for their pre-season tour against Ingolstadt, Borussia Monchengladbach and Eibar.
Christiansen looks to be focussed on his squad and ensuring their in the best possible shape for the opening games of the season, when the club play Bolton Wanderers and Preston at the beginning of August.