Charlie Cresswell faces Premier League audition in Leeds' Carabao Cup tie

By Jordan Harris

While most of Leeds United’s youngsters may be looking at Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Fulham as an opportunity to show what they can do for further down the line, it appears that one starlet has a fantastic chance to potentially force their way into Marcelo Bielsa’s starting lineup this weekend.

Bielsa will surely make changes at Craven Cottage. Leeds have lost a number of players to injury, illness and suspension.

Luke Ayling became the latest to limp off for the Whites. It remains to be seen how serious the defender’s problem is.

Ayling’s absence poses a serious issue for Bielsa. He was moved into the middle for Friday’s trip to Newcastle with Liam Cooper their only available centre-back.

Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk all missed the game. Struijk is definitely out of the next two fixtures due to his recent red card.

Llorente and Koch meanwhile, have been missing for a little while due to injury.

So if Ayling is out for Tuesday, Charlie Cresswell will surely come in for only his second senior appearance for the club.

Cresswell has been a stalwart for the under-23s for some time. And it does appear that he is going to be a first-team star in the years to come.

But perhaps that Premier League debut could be just around the corner should he impress against Marco Silva’s men.

Leeds’ tie in Carabao Cup could decide whether Charlie Cresswell makes Premier League debut this weekend

Fulham have a very good group of attacking options. They are flying high in the Championship.

So if Cresswell starts on Tuesday and impresses, it will leave Bielsa with food for thought heading into Saturday’s clash with West Ham.

If none of his centre-backs return, he could drop Kalvin Phillips into the backline. And knowing Bielsa, there are probably other options fans have not yet considered.

But Cresswell will surely punch his ticket for Saturday’s starting lineup should he pass the test against Fulham.