Ezgjan Alioski appears to be missing from pre-game training v Burnley
Left-back Ezgjan Alioski is missing from the pre-game training video Leeds United have posted on their website.
In the video, the squad are being put through high-intensity training drills ahead of the Burnley game.
Every available senior player has been shown in the video, bar Alioski.
The North Macedonian has also been linked with an exit at the end of the season as his contract runs out and he’s unlikely to pen an extension at Elland Road.
When he spoke about injuries in his pre-match press conference, Bielsa ruled out Helder Costa, Adam Forshaw and Joe Gelhard, but as of Thursday morning, Alioski looked set to feature.
However, this video package has thrown major doubts about whether or he will feature in today’s lunchtime game against Burnley.
Blessing in disguise?
While Alioski had a rare good game against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, he’s been lacking consistency all season and hasn’t looked assured at left-back.
The team has seemed in better shape when Stuart Dallas has played there, and this could happen against Burnley if Alioski misses out.
This could be a blessing in disguise as now Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha are back so Dallas won’t be needed on the right flank or in central midfield and could instead play as a full-back.
However, we could be reading too much into the video, and Alioski may surprise us by being in the starting eleven.
But, with him likely to leave, it could be the opportunity to give our fringe players some minutes under their belt.
This Burnley contest won’t be an easy one, but the fact that they’ve been pressing higher than normal means that our attacking players could be given the licence to make those runs beyond their defenders.
We’re expecting a good attacking display from Bielsa’s men.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Should be a fun watch’ – Sky Sports pundit predicts Leeds United clash v Burnley