Marcelo Bielsa issues update on Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Tyler Roberts, hints at strong line-up for Crawley Town FA Cup tie

The two centre-halfs have been out injured with muscular problems and while both could play on Sunday at Crawley if needed, Bielsa suggested Spanish international Llorente will have to wait to make his comeback.

"They are both okay," said the Whites head coach.

"Cooper is in condition to play and whilst Llorente is also in condition to play if needed, we're being more cautious with him."

Llorente has played just 81 minutes for Leeds this season having struggled with niggling injuries. He hadn't featured for the Whites before picking up a groin problem while on international duty with Spain back in October.

When he returned to the bench for the game at Chelsea, Robin Koch was forced off early on with a knee injury and Llorente made his debut as a ninth-minute substitute. But he picked up a fresh knock at Stamford Bridge and then suffered a slight set-back last week, which might explain why Bielsa wants to take his time reintroducing the summer signing to first team games, if it's possible.

Luke Ayling and Pascal Struijk have been playing at centre-half in the absence of Cooper and Llorente but with the latter two coming back, Bielsa will once again have options for the heart of his defence, right-back and defensive midfield.

Leeds will be without forward Tyler Roberts again, however. Bielsa revealed after the defeat at Spurs last weekend that the Welsh striker was 'unavailable' for the game and that remains the case.

"Tyler Roberts is not available for this game," he added.

A game against League Two opposition might have tempted Bielsa into blooding some of the club's youngsters in first team action but the Argentine has hinted at fielding a strong, experienced line-up for the Third Round tie.

"It was easier when I just named the 11, let me think a little bit," he joked when asked if there would be debutants in his team.

"No, there won't be any players who haven't played before."