BBC journalist suggests never-before-seen Leeds player could be in squad v Hull today
Leeds United fans have been frustrated by how little they have seen of the club’s January signings in recent weeks.
Ian Poveda has completely disappeared from Marcelo Bielsa’s matchday plans without making an appearance while marquee signing Jean-Kevin Augustin is yet to start a game and has only made three appearances as a substitute.
On Wednesday night, as Leeds beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at the Riverside Stadium, none of Bielsa’s January signings were in his squad – but that could be different today (Saturday).
Elia Caprile was Leeds’ other addition in January when the young Italian goalkeeper joined the Yorkshire giants on a permanent basis from Chievo.
He has only played in the Under-23s so far but it seems that he could get a spot on Bielsa’s bench when the Whites take on Hull City at the KCOM Stadium this week.
Kiko Casilla has been hit with an eight-match ban after the FA found his charge of racial abuse to be proven.
Casilla’s ban means that Illan Meslier will start in between the sticks for Leeds over the next eight matches.
BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope was asked on Friday night who will replace Meslier on the bench if the Frenchman is starting.
Pope suggested that Caprile, who travelled to Middlesbrough on Wednesday but was not named in the squad, could be the player to step up.
Caprile is yet to be seen in the Leeds senior squad.
The 18-year-old must be seen as a highly-rated young goalkeeper by Leeds to sign him in January and instantly put him into their Under-23s starting line-up.
It also says a lot about him that he’s Bielsa’s third-choice goalkeeper when there are other options on the books at Elland Road who perhaps have a bit more experience.
Still, it’s unlikely that Caprile will make his first-ever senior appearance in the coming weeks but if Meslier gets suspended or injured, the Italian youngster is someone who Bielsa will have to rely upon.
In other Leeds United news, Sue Smith claims Boro should have had a penalty on Wednesday.