OPINION
Leeds are on a roll at the moment. Three wins on the bounce for the first time since the start of the season and four out of the last five have left them four points clear of West Brom in third.
Now is the time to push on and create a buffer from the play-off places and they’ve got the perfect opportunity for another three points at home to QPR on Saturday.
There’s just one problem – injuries.
Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas have joined the growing casualty list and manager Marcelo Bielsa is going to have to do some tinkering to put out his best possible XI.
Thankfully for him, we’ve got his back covered.
19-year-old Jamie Shackleton is going to have to come in at right-back for just his second league start of the season.
Bielsa hasn’t used him much but he will unleash him on the right flank on Saturday – there’s no one else available.
Kalvin Phillips should drop back to centre-back after a nervy display from 20-year-old Aapo Halme and Adam Forshaw should drop back to the defensive midfield position.
Jack Clarke must start after playing 45 minutes brilliantly in the last two games. Alioski needs the rest.
Samu Saiz should join him as well and take Forshaw’s place in midfield.
The brilliant news that came from the press conference today is that Patrick Bamford and Izzy Brown are available to play and they make the bench. It’s too much to start them after so long out but what impact players to bring on if Leeds need the help.
This is the starting XI that will tear QPR a new one:
