Marcelo Bielsa delivers injury update as Leeds take on Chelsea

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Marcelo Bielsa has told his pre-Chelsea press conference – as per Leeds Live – that he will be without three Leeds United players but is set to welcome the return of Jamie Shackleton, and could call upon Robin Koch in the coming weeks.

Leeds have lost five of their last seven Premier League games, suffered a 2-0 loss to West Ham United on Monday evening despite dominating the clash at the London Stadium for large parts of the clash. Chelsea are in excellent form.

Thomas Tuchel is yet to lose as Chelsea boss since replacing Frank Lampard and has his Chelsea side proving defensively solid, but also decent going forward. He is finally starting to see improvements from big-money duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

Bielsa gave an injury update on seven players, confirming Shackleton is fit – while Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo are fit. Robin Koch could be okay for the 23’s, while Pascal Struijk has joined Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw on the treatment table.

“They are both good,” Bielsa on Rodrigo and Phillips. On Struijk and Hernandez, he said: “Neither will be able to play. It’s not a serious injury; our players have played with this injury. He is not needed urgently, I prefer he has time to recover completely.”

Then, on Koch: “We think he will. I would like to think so, but I don’t want to confirm and then it turns out to be an error. Shackleton is available now. Koch also, Berardi also. The players who are not available are Forshaw, Pablo and Pascal.”

Bielsa is likely to bring Rodrigo back into the starting line-up, given the Spain international only managed a brief substitute appearance against the Hammers on Monday – despite scoring a brace against Wolves for the Under-23 side last February.

Elsewhere, Bielsa may also be tempted to play Stuart Dallas in midfield having impressed against West Ham in the second half – meaning Gjanni Alioski could come in. Jack Harrison might also start ahead of Helder Costa.