Blackman set for first Leeds United outing at Oxford

Blackman has been named in a young squad chosen by head coach Marcelo Bielsa after missing United’s first three pre-season games.

Bielsa held the 24-year-old back last week to work on his conditioning but Blackman will begin staking his claim for the number one jersey against League One opposition at the Kassam Stadium tonight.

Leeds brought him in from Chelsea with the intention of installing him as first choice ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell but Blackman has been on the sidelines since completing his move eight days ago.

United’s other new signing, Lewis Baker, is also in a 15-man group dominated by Under-23 players.

Most of Bielsa’s senior professionals have featured in matches against Forest Green Rovers and Southend United and tonight’s team is similar to the line-up fielded at York City last week.

Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich and Yosuke Ideguchi are all involved while Tyler Roberts has travelled again after ending his long injury battle with a 28-minute outing in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southend.

Leeds United squad v Oxford United: Blackman, Huffer, Roberts, Ideguchi, Vieira, Baker, Dalby, Klich, Diaz, Pearce, Clarke, Rey, Edmondson, Shackleton, Stevens.