Leeds United v Southampton - Marcelo Bielsa press conference key points: Whites boss on Elland Road future and injury latest

Leeds United return to Premier League action on Tuesday night as they welcome Southampton to Elland Road.
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Marcelo Bielsa will meet the media on Monday lunchtime to discuss the latest developments at Elland Road and issue an update over the fitness of his squad.

The Whites have been missing influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips in recent weeks while Rodrigo and Ian Poveda have also been sidelined.

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Diego Llorente provided a boost to the Argentine's squad by returning to the bench at Wolves on Friday while Robin Koch and Adam Forshaw remain long-term absentees.

Leeds United take on Southampton at Elland Road on Tuesday.Leeds United take on Southampton at Elland Road on Tuesday.
Leeds United take on Southampton at Elland Road on Tuesday.

Gaetano Berardi is another who continues to work through his rehab and recovery following a torn ACL last July.

We'll have all the latest from Bielsa's pre-Saints press conference below at its conclusion...

Afternoon Marcelo - what is the latest on team news? Is Kalvin Phillips back?

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"He's not available for tomorrow's game. Rodrigo also. Llorente is back and Berardi is evolving the same as Poveda. Forshaw is in a process which is a lot slower."

What are the problems for Kalvin and Rodrigo specifically?

"Rodrigo slipped at Leicester and his legs separated a big width apart. He has a small problem on the inside of his groin. Kalvin has a muscular problem in his calf."

Do you say to your other players that it's the challenge for them to step up and fill the void?

"In common with the absence of Phillips, we're also missing Llorente and Koch who both have a history of playing in Phillips' position. Koch not too long ago was a starter for his country in this position.

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"So we have Phillips' problem plus Koch and Llorente. The absences of Llorente and Koch forced us to play Pascal at centre back. Shackleton and Klich took up the role of a number four together with their characteristics."

Southampton? Thoughts? They've struggled of late...

"Every team has a bunch of negative results. The only teams that don't are the ones who occupy the first few positions in the table.

"The teams in the middle don't have as big squads. When they're missing four or five players like everyone else, they have to opt for youngsters to make substitutions in games.

"This presents a different reality. That's why the teams who are not the biggest clubs. They need to improve their squads over the period of a few years. It's clear to be able to shine in the Premier League you need at least 18 players who can start."

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What about your own future at Leeds? Andrea Radrizzani said he is hopeful you will stay...

"To give you a complete response so we don't have to talk about this subject. I don't imagine for my professional future, [there is] nothing better than what Leeds represent as a job. Given how the club is and the principles they have, due to the public, the stadium, the Premier League, the fans, due to the project that the club is undertaking, due to the knowledge I have of the club and the people here - there is a lot of knowledge I have accumulated. I feel integrated with the city and also this region in England and also what surrounds it, Yorkshire.

"Due to the project the club is undertaking and the knowledge of the club and the knowledge I have accumulated from the people who are here, who're integrated in the city and also this region in England and what surrounds it, Yorkshire. I value the people who surround me and work for the club.

"I say this to justify so I don't appear to be someone who is predicting for the future. All the things I say now are true. Apart from that I would like to clear two things up that are totally sincere.

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"I would not like them to be interpreted as false modesty. I want to make it clear what false modesty is, it is to say something and the person listening thinks you mean something else.

"The first thing is that I didn't take Leeds to the Premier League. I manage in the Premier League thanks to Leeds. The second thing is there are coaches who demand a lot. To have footballers who accept this high demand - there are very few.

"The improvements the Leeds United players have had has more to do with their capacity to adhere to this effort rather than me. To give this response doesn't have any speculation that benefits me, in fact it is the opposite. I would not consider any alternatives until my job with Leeds is done.

"I am not going to be in contact with anyone and no-one has offered me any jobs. It is the least I can do given how I have been treated by the club. I understand the club might have the needs to clear this up more quickly. It is a more normal and logical step they need to take.

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"This is why I think it is perfectly normal for them to have a list of alternative candidates. Although it hasn't been manifested publicly it is normal for a club to do this. If the club needs an answer prior to the end of the season I will respond in an anticipated manner.

"Leeds as a project surpasses me as a coach. Any coach would want to work here more because of how it has been designed. There are still a dozen games left and the games always provide the best conclusions that help make the correct decisions.

"I always propose all the games are finished not for me, but for those who give me a job. In a third of the season that's left they could confirm that they want to continue with me but it could also happen that they don't. It's not me who has an attitude of speculation against Leeds.

"It's just a precaution that tends to favour the club and not me. Don't listen to this answer as me predicting the future. The big coaches in the world - I don't say this because I am a world class coach - any of them would love to work in an organisation such as Leeds."

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If the club ask you before the end of the season would you answer? Can you clear that up?

"What I said, the first thing I want to highlight, what it seems like is the president is offering me an extension and I am delaying it.

"It could be interpreted that the club has more desire for me to stay than I do. That's not the case. In no way do I want to position myself above the club.

"I reiterate I am not going to manage any other options until my job with Leeds is done. There is no speculation from my part. The second thing that the decision to work in a club for another year is so important that you must have a clear security and when you have a third of the season left to play, perhaps in this period things could happen that alter the judgement that is useful to have in mind - that is my reasoning.

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"If the club needs an answer before the end of the season I will respond before the end of the season. If this happens I will take the time to say that they should consider what happens in the last part of the season.

"In this case it is possible they will wait or want to resolve it. If they need a response prior to the end of the season then I will give them one."

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