Marcelo Bielsa wary of Garry Monk record as Leeds United look for Yorkshire derby spoils against Sheffield Wednesday

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa says he “cannot ignore the reality” of Garry Monk’s unbeaten record against him as Whites head coach.

Monk - who was in charge in West Yorkshire during the 2016-17 campaign - returns to Elland Road once again with Sheffield Wednesday this weekend having faced his counterpart on three separate occasions since his arrival in England over 18 months ago.

The Owls manager masterminded a double over United last season whilst in charge of Birmingham City, before a 0-0 draw at Hillsborough with new club Wednesday followed in October.

Monk’s side enter the clash on the back of three Championship defeats and sit just two points from the play-off places. Wednesday, though, were buoyed by a 1-0 victory over Premier League side Brighton last weekend in FA Cup action on the south coast.

United remain top of the table on goal difference alone ahead of the Yorkshire derby, having played out a 1-1 draw with promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Monday night in cup action.

Bielsa admits that while he cannot ignore the 40-year-old’s impressive record against him, his side remain focused on doing everything they can to come away from LS11 with all three points this weekend.

“We cannot ignore this reality,” Bielsa said.

“But it doesn’t mark a tendency because in football there is no definitive tendency, and we are going to do in every match everything to try and win the match.

“Sheffield (Wednesday) is a team that has good attackers in the centre and front. They have three good wingers. They also have three important midfielders and one solid defensive line.

“That means that they have enough players to build a good team.”

Wednesday have been hit by a major injury blow ahead of the showdown with top goalscorer Steven Fletcher sidelined with a knee injury that has ruled him out for two months which was picked up in the Cup victory over the Seagulls.

Monk will also be without defender Liam Palmer and forward Fernando Forestieri.

Bielsa has no fresh issues in his squad with Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw remaining in the treatment room, but has been boosted by the return of Pablo Hernandez and Jamie Shackleton to his squad.

The 64-year-old saw his team put up a valiant fight in their defeat to the Gunners in the capital earlier this week, and now says he wants his players to take that same momentum into league action.

“It is a performance that in general is an impulse for us,” Bielsa reflected.

“But now we have to be concentrating on each match of the Championship individually and always trying to give a step forwards every time we have an opportunity to do it.”

Monk, though, is aiming to maintain his unbeaten record against the Argentine at the fourth time of asking.

“I think they are very similar to what they were last year,” the Wednesday boss said.

“I think they would say themselves, they felt they should have done it last year and probably learned from that experience.

“Their aim is to be promoted this year, and they are on the right course. But in the three games I have had against them, we have managed to do quite well result-wise.”