Pablo Hernandez' latest injury reveals where Marcelo Bielsa sees 'dangerous' Joe Gelhardt in Leeds United pecking order

DANGER MAN - Joe Gelhardt was called up to the Leeds United squad by Marcelo Bielsa, who agreed with the recommendation of 23s boss Mark Jackson. Pic: Getty

When the Spanish magician fell victim to a minor muscle problem in the Whites’ final football session in preparation for the visit of Crystal Palace, Bielsa turned to 18-year-old Gelhardt to give him the required attacking options on the bench.

It was the former Wigan Athletic youngster’s first involvement in a Premier League squad and came on the back of another impressive Under-23s display a day earlier.

Gelhardt scored two to help Mark Jackson’s side beat their Middlesbrough counterparts 4-2 and took his Premier League 2 tally for the season to seven. But his performances in the 23s before Sunday’s win had already impressed Bielsa.

“Prior to the game [on Sunday] he had been one of the better players in the 23s,” said the head coach, who revealed that Jackson suggested Gelhardt for Monday’s squad.

“Given the absence of Pablo, Tyler could play as a number 10 or as a striker and the same for Gelhardt.

“I follow every 23s game closely and we constantly ask for advice from their manager.

“He suggested we think of Gelhardt and we thought it was a correct recommendation.”

Gelhardt was signed last summer from Wigan having already tasted men’s football with the Latics, playing 19 times in the Championship and making FA Cup and EFL Cup debuts during Paul Cook’s tenure at the DW Stadium.

First team opportunities had eluded the England youth international at Elland Road until this week but Bielsa had previously spoken of his progress, along with fellow new boy and friend Sam Greenwood.

“They have been playing well to deserve minutes,” he said earlier in the season after Greenwood and a number of 23s prospects were involved in the FA Cup game at Crawley.

Since their arrival last summer Gelhardt and Greenwood have both caught the imagination of fans and pundits alike with their performances up front and in attacking midfield for Jackson’s 23s.

Bielsa considers them interchangeable in the forward positions.

“Gelhardt is a player who when he is close to the box he is very dangerous and Greenwood is a player who has a lot of capacity to arrive into the free spaces,” he said in December.

“They can play with either Gelhardt in front and Greenwood in behind or the other way around.”

Hernandez' injury is not a serious one and Bielsa said his omission from the squad was precautionary.

"Pablo in the last football session we had picked up a minor muscular injury," said the Argentine.

"Although the injury was only a minor one it was better he didn't play today as a precaution."