OPINION
The international break might have been agony for Leeds fans, after losing 1-0 to top-two rivals Sheffield United in their last game, but it looks like it might have done them a big favour.
Centre-back Pontus Jansson was injured in the huge game at Elland Road and was initially ruled out for three weeks. However, the latest report from the Yorkshire Evening Post claims that the enforcer is fighting for his place in the team for Saturday.
If he’s fit, he plays, it’s as simple as that. He’s been a rock this season for Leeds and his actions on the pitch have been matched by his efforts off the pitch – imploring the Leeds fans to turn up an hour early for the Sheffield United game to help create an electric atmosphere.
That didn’t work in the end but Leeds fans will be delighted to see Jansson back if he passes a late fitness test. The YEP report also claims that Adam Forshaw is on the verge of a return, but he’ll make the bench at best – Bielsa’s preference is always to keep an unchanged team as much as possible.
That means no place in the side for Jack Clarke either, who will look to make an impact from the bench after his short cameo return against Sheffield United, after a long period on the sidelines.
Fans were also hoping that top scorer Kemar Roofe would make the Millwall clash after Bielsa said he was in the final stages of recovery. However, he played no part in the Under-23s game against Colchester on Monday night and that would seemingly rule him out of Saturday.
One enforced change will be in goal, where Bailey Peacock-Farrell will deputise for the suspended Kiko Casilla. We expect the rest of the team to stay the same.
Here is the starting XI we expect Bielsa to put out against Millwall:
