Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa will have to do without senior stars Jamal Blackman or Pablo Hernandez after they were named as surprise absentees from the squad to take on Southend United on Sunday, according to Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reporter claims that the pair are two of the more notable names missing from the first team, the Spanish playmaker having played a key role for the club last season, while the summer signing is yet to feature after signing on loan from Chelsea.
Tyler Roberts is in today's squad and due to make his first appearance for Leeds. No Jamal Blackman or Pablo Hernandez though:https://t.co/iV3ykPIr2o
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 22, 2018
However, their absences may be made up for by the inclusion of Tyler Roberts, the £2.5million signing, as reported by Leeds Live, who saw a broken shin bone end his season just days after joining back in the January window, in what could be his very first display for the club.
Opinion
There have been no reports or official statements as to why Hernandez and Blackman might be out of action right now, but it does seem particularly strange for them to be missing what is looking like a first team fixture for the Whites. The goalkeeper was brought in to challenge Bailey Peacock-Farrell but so fare last season’s young revelation has kept his place in the starting XI. There has been little said about Hernandez this summer as well, but fans would imagine his talent and vision would be exactly what Bielsa would want to help link the midfield and attack heading into the new campaign. However, he will have to sit out against Southend, and there will be heads scratched over why he has not been included to feature. Roberts’ inclusion should be exciting though, for the Elland Road faithful have seen nothing of the former West Brom man since he signed, and they will be hoping that their patience has been worth it.