OPINION
Barry Douglas makes his long-awaited return for Leeds United Under-23s against Hull City at Thorp Arch this afternoon, and fans will be thrilled – and no-doubt relieved – to see him ready for action.
The team news was confirmed on Monday lunchtime and Douglas will line-up in the 1pm kick-off, ahead of hopefully a first-team return against Wigan on Sunday.
Barry Douglas starts for #lufc under-23s, as expected. Strong side…
Blackman, Gotts, Douglas, Shackleton, Shaughnessy, Davis, Clarke, Baker, Harrison, Edmondson, Roberts #lufc— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) October 29, 2018
Douglas was a Bielsa mainstay, starting all 11 of Leeds’ first Championship games and his performances were consistent, if not quite hitting the heights of his play with Wolves last season.
He was then injured and has missed the four games since, which started with a disappointing draw against Brentford and a defeat to Blackburn.
Leeds picked up with a win against Ipswich in midweek and a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but they lost another defender, Luke Ayling, in that match and the right-back has since been pictured on crutches.
Ayling is another defensive mainstay and has played every single Championship game bar the Blackburn defeat that he missed through suspension.
He’s due for a scan this week and the hope will be that it’s not as serious as it looks, but having Douglas back is a big boost.
If Bielsa was without both full backs it would have been a serious blow, on top of the injury to Gaetano Berardi.
Stuart Dallas has covered for both players while they’ve been out and he will be favourite to deputise for Ayling on Sunday.
It will be a massive relief for Leeds fans to see Douglas back today although they’ll be hoping and praying that he comes through the game at Thorp Arch unscathed. A setback would be unthinkable.