Leeds United’s summer loan signing Jamal Blackman is a near certainty to feature in Tuesday’s (24 July) pre-season friendly fixture with Oxford United after missing Sunday’s clash with Southend as a result of a lack of match fitness, according to Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post’s reliable journalist claims on his personal Twitter account that the Chelsea goalkeeper, who arrived at Elland Road on a season-long loan, has not been part of Marcelo Bielsa’s sides in recent warm up games as a result of his lack of recent game time, but that he almost guaranteed to be seen by fans travelling to the Kassam Stadium.
no injury I’m told but match fitness needs to get up to speed. Will surely feature at Oxford tomorrow
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 23, 2018
The shot stopper will be battling it out with Bailey Peacock-Farrell for the first team role next season, and has Championship experience with Sheffield United under his belt.
Opinion
The transfer window has been a cause of much concern for Leeds fans and the fact that Blackman is yet to turn out during pre-season would have only caused those worries to deepen. However, the shot stopper seems in line to make his debut for the Whites in mid-week, and the supporters will finally have the chance to see what he can offer between the sticks. He will be taking the place of fan favourite Peacock-Farrell if he does feature, but the young homegrown talent has so far failed to live up to his performances of last season, when he usurped not one but two more senior options to prove himself. Some might argue that Blackman’s arrival will dent his rival’s development, but when the club’s success is on the line, having a quality option – be it the Chelsea loanee or the Leeds starlet – is crucial, and sentiment must be put to one side.