Tyler Roberts has a chance of being fit for the play-off semi-final first-leg clash against Derby County, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay.
Talking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road podcast, Hay said that the line-up for the game would be the same as the one that lost to Ipswich on the final day of the season, with that one possible change.
“We could probably sit here and name his team, which is effectively the same as the team that played Ipswich, but he might have Tyler Roberts back,” Hay said.
“Roberts had an ankle injury on Sunday and didn’t feature, but has a chance for the weekend.
“And in a midfield three of Forshaw, Klich and Phillips I can see some value of having Roberts in there for Forshaw, just for a variation of pace and a variation of style.
You get running at defenders and a bit more speed with Roberts and I did feel on Sunday that set of three Klich/Forshaw/Phillips is fairly one-paced.”
OPINION
The return of Roberts would be a significant boost for Leeds, especially with Patrick Bamford suspended for the first leg. Leeds have struggled for goals this season, especially towards the end of the campaign. Roberts missed the Ipswich game and the attack did seem muted without the creative output of the young attacker. Bielsa doesn’t like changing his line-up unless he has to, but we would imagine that Roberts will slot straight back into the team if he is fit. He’s been one of the best players in the past month or so and can create the chances that Leeds will need to take a lead to Elland Road the following week. Kemar Roofe is expected to lead the line in Bamford’s absence and fans will be hoping that he can recapture the form that made him Leeds’ top-scorer under Bielsa.