Phil Hay has claimed that Leeds United midfield ace Tyler Adams will be back to start this weekend.
One of Leeds’ American internationals was part of the side that were squashed 3-1 by the Premier League champions in the form of Brenden Aaronson, while his fellow countrymen Adams had to watch on painfully from the sidelines.
Adams was of course suspended for one game after he picked up two bookings against Tottenham Hotspur and was handed his marching orders prior to the World Cup break, but that will only have him fresh and caring to go against Newcastle United.
Adams has featured in all but two league games for Leeds this season and Hay has delivered good news on The Phil Hay Show that he won’t be set to miss a third.
He said: (9:05) “There were some nice touches by Forshaw in the first half but again, on paper, you expected that midfield to struggle against City’s and you also have Marsch switching more now to 4-3-3 as opposed to the 4-2-3-1 that was there before the World Cup break.
“I think ideally if you’re going to make that sort of tactical switch you want everyone available and the glaring omission last night [Wednesday] was Tyler Adams in that midfield and the sort of performances you were getting from him in the World Cup games where it was just a constant aggressive presence, okay it didn’t work against the Dutch but in other games, he was one of the USA’s standout players.
Do you expect Adams to start against NUFC?
Yes!
No!
“You absolutely need players like him in that game it’s a definite bonus that he’ll be back for Newcastle at the weekend because again, that’s going to be another really difficult fixture.”
TIF Thoughts on Adams returning…
Adams has played 90 minutes in all of Leeds’ four league victories this season and the fact that no other player made more than two tackles against Manchester City (FBref) it’s no surprise why The Whites are better with him in their side.
As things stand, Adams is currently leading the way at Leeds when it comes to passes, tackles and is also second in progressive passes made, so he’s simply the man in midfield who does everything for Jesse Marsch.
Therefore, the fact he’s had a prolonged period of rest could now be invaluable to Leeds as they make the short trip to Tyneside just a few days after a grueling game of only having 31% possession on Wednesday.