Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that he is sweating over the fitness of Pontus Jansson and Bailey Peacock-Farrell after they missed the club’s clash with Bristol City on Saturday.
The pair were ruled out on Leeds’ return from international duty with their respective injury worries, Aapo Halme taking the place of the Swede and Will Huffer filling in between the sticks, and with a match against Reading coming up on Tuesday night, the Whites would have been hoping for a quick recovery.
However, Bielsa has revealed he does not know whether either mainstay, who are first choice when available, will be fit enough to take part against the Royals, leaving the young pair in line to start once again.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I couldn’t tell you. I’m not sure if Jansson or Farrell will be available for the next game.”
Opinion
The quicker that Leeds get the senior pair back and ready for action, the better. That is not to say that Halme nor Huffer are not talented players – they just lack the experience and know how that is required to be a regular Championship player. With a promotion push on the cards for the Whites they cannot afford to be risking their success with young talents playing on a regular basis. Still, it is good to see that those waiting in the wings have enough ability to step in when needed, but Bielsa and his team will be hoping that it is not a common occurrence throughout the campaign. One lapse of concentration or a simple lack of quality could lead to a defeat, which considering how competitive the Championship is this season could well be the difference between glory and failure. How they would love Jansson or Peacock-Farrell back as soon as possible.