Leeds handed triple fitness boost ahead of clash v Newcastle – confirmed

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa delivered a very positive fitness update ahead of the Premier League clash with Newcastle on Tuesday.

The key news is that goalkeeper Illan Meslier is fit but Bielsa stopped short of saying that he would go straight back into the side.

Kiko Casilla has started the last two games for Leeds with Meslier out ill.

Other good news came with the news that Gaetano Berardi is due back in training shortly and Adam Forshaw – sidelined for 18 months – could return in the "not too distant future".

The fitness update was relayed by BBC journalist Adam Pope on Monday morning, with Leeds playing at 6pm on Tuesday.

Three points needed

It's been a rough run for Leeds, with three defeats in a row. The most worrying aspect of this run is that Leeds haven't scored a goal, losing 3-0 to both Crawley and Tottenham, and 1-0 to Brighton.

Newcastle seem there for the taking. They haven't won a game since we smashed them 5-2 at Elland Road and have only scored two league goals.

However, another defeat for Leeds would see alarm bells ringing for probably the first time this season.

Leeds are unlikely to get dragged into a relegation battle – even if we lose to Newcastle we'd have 23 points from our first 19 games.

Another 15 in the final 19 should be enough to guarantee top-flight football again.

However, this is a slump that needs arresting and if not Newcastle, you have to wonder who.

Leeds have a tricky away game at Leicester next weekend before Everton come to Elland Road to play on our new pitch.

In other Leeds United news, 'Leeds are understood' – Ornstein delivers transfer update, Leeds in hunt for 7-goal forward