Marcelo Bielsa delivers major fitness boost for Leeds after 3-1 win v Blackburn
Leeds United left Ewood Park full of smiles on Saturday after brushing Blackburn Rovers aside 3-1 in the Championship.
Marcelo Bielsa made a couple of significant changes to his starting XI, with Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski coming into the side after the draw against Luton.
It was Stuart Dallas and Helder Costa who missed out in Lancashire, although both were in attendance in the stands to take in the action.
Bielsa confirmed after the clash that both Costa and Dallas were close to full fitness for the 3-1 win, and it was more precautionary to keep them out.
It was shared that both should be back in contention to feature against Stoke on Thursday, as posted on Beren Cross’ personal Twitter account.
It was hard to say that either were missed on Saturday, but they have both played a massive role in getting Leeds to where they are this season.
Predicting Bielsa’s starting line-ups is one of the hardest jobs in football, and it would be hard to suggest anything but an unchanged team on Thursday evening.
Either way, having Costa and Dallas back available would give the South American a fully-fit squad for one of the first times since lockdown, and that would be a major boost just at the right time.
Out of the two, Alioski struggled more at Blackburn, but that isn’t to say he played badly. Bielsa has counted on Dallas many times this season, and he could have a massive role to play in the final five fixtures.
Leeds need 10 points to secure promotion to the Premier League, and having both Dallas and Costa available will make it that little bit easier for them.
In other Leeds United news, Victor Orta and this sidelined duo were left fuming at one decision at Ewood Park