Marcelo Bielsa responds when asked if Tyler Roberts could leave Leeds on loan in the January window

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Marcelo Bielsa has told Thursday’s press conference that Tyler Roberts remains a part of his plans at Leeds United – despite a lack of game time.

Roberts, 22, has struggled at Leeds since the Whites gained promotion to the Premier League. In 40 top-flight outings, he has scored just one goal.

Of course, the Wales international has only started 15 of his 40 Premier League games – completing 90 minutes for the Whites just three times.

A £10million-rated (Mail) attacker, Roberts was linked with Newcastle in the summer before he signed a new deal. Joe Gelhardt started on Sunday.

It saw Roberts stay on the bench despite the absence of Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford. Bielsa was asked if he could leave on loan in the January window.

“While he has the fight to win a place in the team, then I still want him to be here,” Bielsa said. “It is different when a player has the desire to leave.

“Then there is no point in keeping him. When you have more players for the same needs, it decreases the need for the players.”

Bielsa on Roberts: Should striker leave Leeds, despite Bielsa verdict?

Yes. Roberts needs game time and realistically, he is now fourth-choice striker at Leeds behind Bamford, Rodrigo and now youngster Gelhardt.

Understandably, Roberts has stayed at Leeds because he is versatile. He can play as a 10, he can play up front, and is a solid option from the bench.

But if Roberts is to maximise his potential, and gain some much-needed confidence, he needs to get game time. He will not get that at Leeds.

Especially, with Gelhardt seemingly above him in the pecking order. Roberts needs to go on loan, regain confidence, and go again next term.