Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has been talking to the media as his team prepare to take on Millwall at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
The Championship high-flyers have been on a difficult run of late, losing three of their last six games and winning just one of those. However, they retain hope of holding onto one of the automatic promotion spots and finally securing their return to the Premier League.
During his briefing with the press, as reported by Phil Hay (via Twitter), Bielsa spoke of the break between games being useful as he attempts to get Ben White up to speed and ready to play in a midfield role. The pause has also given opportunities to Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts to get fit again.
Of course, with no more signings on the agenda, seeing a couple of familiar faces return will come as a boost.
Would you be happy to see Ben White in midfield?
Yes
No
How have the fans reacted to Bielsa’s update?
Looking forward to a stronger line up on the substitutes bench
A fully fit Shackleton and Roberts could make a significant difference to team play in the latter stages of the match tomorrow night #lufc— nigel stanley (@nigelLUFC) January 27, 2020
Get innnnnnn
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) January 27, 2020
Roberts back ??
— Dominic Bateman (@Bateeey) January 27, 2020
Like new signings ?
— Paul (@GravPa) January 27, 2020
Just gets better
— Billy (@Billy_LUFC_) January 27, 2020
Of course, with Kalvin Phillips suspended, that leaves just Mateusz Klich as the only real central midfield option, so it’s easy to understand why one fan has mentioned Jamie Shackleton’s return as he’ll provide much-needed cover in the middle of midfield.
This is massive, kev and Shack in attack
— MrSullivan (@Aidfitzy16) January 27, 2020
Great news
— mightywhites1966 (@mightyleeds1966) January 27, 2020
Great news on the injuries, prefer White in the back line personally. In Bielsa we trust.
— Bickers (@BickersLUFC) January 27, 2020
What do we think?
As the race for promotion hot’s up, the Leeds fans can take great encouragement from the fact they’re starting to get some of their injured players back to fitness. The club have recently completed the signing of Jean-Kevin Augustin from RB Leipzig and Bielsa will now be confident he has enough to go one step better than last season.