Brentford v Leeds United: Mowatt won't be put at risk by a premature return to action

The midfielder missed Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bristol City with an injury sustained at Sheffield Wednesday seven days earlier and Leeds do not plan to risk him in London.

Head coach Steve Evans said Mowatt was suffering from heavy bruising but is optimistic of having him available for this weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Bolton Wanderers.

Evans said: “He’s got deep bruising and it’s not going to keep him out for a long time but he’s not 100 per cent either.

“He had a scan on Sunday and I insisted on that because I wanted to be sure about what we were looking at. Hopefully the Bolton game won’t be a problem. He should be ready for that.”

Striker Chris Wood recovered from a hamstring strain in time to make the squad for Saturday’s clash with Bristol City and his appearance as a substitute helped Leeds overcome a poor first-half performance.

Evans defended his decision to leave Wood on the bench, saying: “It’s easy to say that if he’s fit enough for the bench he’s fit enough to start but I felt I’d be taking a chance on his fitness by starting him.”