Chelsea v Leeds United team news: Diego Llorente returns to Whites bench as Olivier Giroud starts for Blues

DIEGO LLORENTE returns from injury to make the Leeds United bench for Saturday night's Premier League clash at Chelsea for which the Whites XI is unchanged.
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Llorente has yet to feature for Leeds following his summer switch from Real Sociedad after picking up a groin injury during the October international break and then suffering a setback in his bid to work his way towards making his first appearance for the Whites.

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa then said on Thursday that Llorente was back in condition to play but that ideally the Spaniard would play for United's under-23s before making his first appearance for the first team.

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Bielsa said he hoped that the Spaniard would not have to accelerate his process into the team and Llorente is amongst the substitutes for tonight's clash at Stamford Bridge.

LONDON CALLING: Leeds United arrive at Stamford Bridge. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.LONDON CALLING: Leeds United arrive at Stamford Bridge. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
LONDON CALLING: Leeds United arrive at Stamford Bridge. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Llorente takes the place of Leif Davis as the only change on the bench and only change to the Whites 18 with Pablo Hernandez (muscle), Jamie Shackleton (squad) and long term absentee Adam Forshaw (hip) all still out.

Olivier Giroud is also handed a first league start of the season by Blues boss Frank Lampard after his four-goal haul against Sevilla in the midweek Champions League clash.

Giroud's place in the side means that England international Tammy Abraham drops to the bench.

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Chelsea: Mendy; James, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell; Havertz, Kante, Mount; Werner, Giroud, Ziyech. Subs: Kepa, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Pulisic, Abraham.

Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente. Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images.Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente. Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images.
Leeds United's Spanish international centre-back Diego Llorente. Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images.

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Dallas, Phillips, Klich, Alioski, Raphinha, Harrison, Bamford. Subs: Casilla, Llorente, Struijk, Costa, Poveda, Roberts, Rodrigo.

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Thank you Laura Collins

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