Marcelo Bielsa sees no benefit in Leeds United's extended Premier League break

Marcelo Bielsa believes there is no benefit in an extended break with Leeds United having to wait until Monday evening for their next Premier League outing.

The Whites will have had a 10-day hiatus from match action when the first whistle is blown in LS11 against Leicester City under the lights.

Bielsa's side toppled Aston Villa last Friday to make it three wins from six but will have to watch on with the rest of the top flight featuring over the weekend.

United then face swifter turnaround with a trip to the capital to take on Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace next weekend - which will be broadcast on the Premier League's controversial pay-per-view service.

The Whites head coach, though, was quizzed over whether the break between games was beneficial for his players or not.

"If we had played on the weekend we would have been fine to resolve the issue as well," Bielsa told his pre-match press conference.

"The fact we’ve had more days to prepare for this game means we will have less days to prepare for the Crystal Palace game.

"You get one thing going for you this time, but it goes against you the next time. It’s better when you have more time."

Bielsa remained coy over his starting line-up ahead of the Foxes clash but there was promising news for club captain Liam Cooper.

The defender is fit and available once again after overcoming a groin injury while question marks remain over the inclusion of Pascal Struijk following his early substitution at Villa Park.

There will be no doubt, though, over Patrick Bamford's spot in the team after an impressive hat-trick.

"He had a normal week, but it’s true when a striker scores goals his confidence increases," Bielsa said of the front man.

"Pascal reacted in a normal manner and the explanation, of course, I gave to him and the whole team [over his substitution]."

Bielsa also kept tight lipped over any predictions for the season amid a chaotic top flight campaign, adding: "It’s too premature to make conclusions at this moment in time.

"Given the amount of games that have been played so far, it’s not enough to make a conclusion or suggestion about which teams can do well."