Is Aapo Halme ready for his Leeds United debut?

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have an injury crisis at the back, which could hand first-team opportunities to some youngsters.

Jamal Blackman and Bailey Peacock-Farrell have both suffered injuries in the same week, which has propelled either Kamil Miazek or Will Huffer to the top of the pecking order.

But Leeds are also short at the back, with Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi and Pontus Jansson all set to miss this weekend’s home game against Bristol City.

With no senior right-backs and only Liam Cooper as a senior centre-back, Leeds youngsters could get some game time.

And Marcelo Bielsa has hinted that Aapo Halme might be promoted for this weekend’s match.

The 20-year-old plays at centre-half and could partner Cooper at the back. But Bielsa is deliberating over whether to use Cooper and central midfielder Kalvin Phillips instead.

Bielsa needs to decide whether Halme is ready. The Finland under-21 international was a forgotten man until this season, having suffered a long-term injury shortly after joining Leeds last January.

But he has bounced back well and is performing with confidence in the under-23 side. Halme stands at 6ft 5in tall so he would not be intimidated by the physical challenge.

And another advantage of starting Halme is that Phillips would be able to continue in his holding midfield role.

It is up to Bielsa to decide whether to place his faith in the youngster, who has never played a senior game in England.