Leeds United team news for West Ham - Marcelo Bielsa says he will give injury returnees Under 23s game time at Wolves

Leeds United's Under 23s could boast a number of first team stars tomorrow as Marcelo Bielsa gives them important match minutes ahead of Monday's trip to West Ham.
BACK SOON? Kalvin Phillips could be one of the Leeds United first team players Marcelo Bielsa says will feature for the Under 23s at Wolves tomorrow. Pic: GettyBACK SOON? Kalvin Phillips could be one of the Leeds United first team players Marcelo Bielsa says will feature for the Under 23s at Wolves tomorrow. Pic: Getty
BACK SOON? Kalvin Phillips could be one of the Leeds United first team players Marcelo Bielsa says will feature for the Under 23s at Wolves tomorrow. Pic: Getty

Bielsa has been without first team regulars Rodrigo [groin] and Kalvin Phillips [calf] for just over a month and a fortnight respectively, while Jamie Shackleton [groin] recently joined them on the treatment table.

They, along with winger Ian Poveda who injured his ankle in 23s action at the start of January, could take a step forward in their recoveries tomorrow in the Premier League 2 clash with Wolves. Gaetano Berardi made his comeback from knee surgery in Monday's 23s game at Crystal Palace and may also feature at Aggborough Stadium against Wolves.

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"Some players who are coming back from injuries will be playing in the match tomorrow," he said.

"[As for Monday] it depends on their evolution over the next few days."

The Whites head coach was equally tight lipped on the fitness of centre-half Pascal Struijk, who team-mate Mateusz Klich revealed had picked up a knock in the defeat by Aston Villa, saying his availability will be dependent on how he recovers over the weekend.

Bielsa admits injuries have caused complicated issues for his side but he's content that Leeds have been able to find answers from within the squad.

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"What generated some problems for was that Berardi and Forshaw had longer term injuries, we suffered injuries to players in the same position or similar positions for example the absence of Pablo and Rodrigo at the same time, or Koch and Llorente and this increases the difficulty," he said.

"It wasn't a problem without solution. In the centre-backs, Ayling and Pascal occupied these positions and shone. Tyler and Klich appeared as offensive midfielders, they initially resolved the problem. What happens is that their substitutions become more difficult, that means throughout the game. At the same time, our opponents had similar problems."

The lack of fixture in midweek and the moving of the West Ham game to Monday has given Leeds a nine-day period in which players could rest and recover.

"We have managed the week in a combined manner, between rest and training," said Bielsa.

"The quality of the training improves when you have time to recover throughout the week."