Nick Ware

Sat 27 February 2021 10:05, UK

Mateusz Klich is facing a race against time in a bid to be fit for the visit of Aston Villa to Elland Road but the Leeds United midfielder is hopeful of featuring.

The 30-year-old was forced from the field against Southampton on Tuesday leaving the Whites with a dearth of midfield options as he joined Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo on the sidelines.

But recent comments by the Poland international suggest that his injury is only a minor one and he is in contention to play Villa on Saturday evening.

In a recent Instagram story on SoccerBible the £45,000 per week star responded to a question asking whether he would be back for the visit of Villa to West Yorkshire.

“I’m doing everything to be fit for Saturday because I remember last time we played Aston Villa at home,” said Klich.

“It was a good game so hopefully I can play.”

Rivalry renewed

That game Klich is referring to is one that lives long in the memory.

It earned Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds a ‘FIFA Fair Play’ award after the manager instructed his side to let Villa score after Klich had opened the scoring in controversial fashion.

A Villa player was down injured but the Whites played on before an almighty scrap ensued over the failure to kick the ball out.

As ever Bielsa was the most level-headed man in the stadium and demanded Villa be awarded a goal.

That was typical of his commitment to play the game in the right way but he will be hoping his side are not quite so generous in their approach to this game.

The Whites can overtake the visitors in the table and move up to eighth with a win so there is a lot riding on this fixture, and with Phillips and Rodrigo still out the return of Klich will be vital to our chances of claiming all three points.

With their talismanic captain Jack Grealish set to miss the match there is the chance for Leeds to dominate the midfield and dictate proceedings.

In other Leeds United news, Tony Cascarino praises Marcelo Bielsa for transforming the career of 27y/o Whites ace.