MOT View: Leeds players could be back in action next week as EFL set to give green light

Leeds United are back in contact training at Thorp Arch but they're still waiting to get the go-ahead to compete in 11 v 11 matches and pre-restart friendlies. 

That will come with phase three of the EFL's training protocols, which is expected to come next week according to the Express & Star.

The Birmingham outlet claims that West Brom, Leeds' rivals for the title, want to play two friendlies before the season starts and have already agreed to play Stoke.

The Premier League has said that clubs can play friendlies as long as they don't travel more than 90 mins.

If the rules are the same for the Championship then it means that Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Burnley and Sheffield United will be the options for Leeds if Bielsa wants top-flight opposition.

Leeds could also choose to play Championship sides they've already played twice, although we don't expect them to be on the phone to West Brom.

MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson believes that Leeds will look to play lower-league opposition in the locality such as Doncaster and Rotherham.

Either way, we fully expect Leeds to be scheduling at least a couple of games from next week and we're hoping the games will be streamed.

Leeds fans are desperate for some action and if the friendlies are streamed there would be an enormous amount of interest in them.

They would also be really nervy games for Leeds fans who will be desperate for the players to get through them without any injuries.

It will be interesting to see the squads as with a greater risk of injuries, we're expecting to see a number of faces from the Under-23s playing at least part of the games on rotation.

They could well be called on in the Championship if Leeds do rack up the injuries or fall victim to any positive Coronavirus testing.

In other Leeds United news, EFL delivers statement on Leeds season-ending vote after report says restart plans in disarray