Marcelo Bielsa rules out five first-team Leeds players for second leg

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Marcelo Bielsa has been quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post during his Monday press conference as ruling out five senior Leeds players for the second leg against Derby County.

Leeds earned a narrow 1-0 win over The Rams at Pride Park, thanks to Kemar Roofe’s second-half strike after a wonderful assist from Jack Harrison. It was Roofe’s 15th goal of the season.

However, Bielsa has delivered a surprise blow by ruling the striker out of action, after picking up a calf injury. It is an enormous blow, with many of the belief that Roofe was back to his best against Derby.

Along with Roofe, Gjanni Alioski, Barry Douglas, Leif Davis and Adam Forshaw were all ruled out for the second leg, which takes place on Wednesday. Forshaw picked up a calf injury of his own in the first leg, but his is more serious.

“In the case we have another game to play after the Wednesday game it would be difficult to have these players back – Forshaw, Roberts, Alioski and Davis,” Bielsa said.

TBR’s view

Losing Roofe is an enormous blow after he tore Derby centre-backs Fikayo Tomori and Richard Keogh to pieces on Saturday. Patrick Bamford is back from suspension, after a two-match ban picked up against Aston Villa.

With Forshaw out injured, it is likely to see Jamie Shackleton start from the off, after he came off the bench to shine at Pride Park. Douglas, Davis and Alioski’s injuries will see Dallas continue on the left side of defence.