Eddie Gray predicts Pablo Hernandez will be back on Leeds bench

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Eddie Gray has predicted that Leeds United’s playmaker Pablo Hernandez could be back on the bench for the home clash against QPR on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites host QPR at Elland Road in the Championship and they have drawn their last two consecutive games.

Marcelo Bielsa confirmed (Yorkshire Evening Post) that Hernandez is back in contention after his injury absence during the last month.

The influential 34-year-old has been absent for the last six consecutive league fixtures, with Leeds winning just two of them.

He’s scored two goals and supplied two assists during the 2019/20 season so far, but only featured in eight games due to injuries.

Ex-Leeds manager Gray has spoken highly about the attacking midfielder ahead of his return and speculated that he could be on the bench against QPR.

“We’ve been missing a lot of influential players. Pablo adding experience. Pablo can open the door [of defences]. You know you miss him,” Gray told LUTV.

“I think we’ve got enough players [to beat QPR], especially if Pablo plays. We don’t know if he’s fit, he might stick him on the bench.”

TBR’s View:

It would be understandable if Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is cautious over the return of Hernandez and perhaps giving him a second-half runout against QPR would be the best approach.

There is no doubt his absence in the final third has been felt of late and the team struggle to pick a final pass without him.

Hernandez can pull the strings when he’s at his fluent best and has shown in the past that he can terrorise defences in the Championship, which is why his comeback is great news for the promotion bid.

The Spaniard will add some extra flair in attack and it’s important they keep him fit for as much of the season as they can.