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Daniel Farke warned against using 'out of his depth' Leeds United player v Bristol City
Leo Hjelde has “looked out of his depth” whenever playing for Leeds United, according to journalist Beren Cross.
The Norwegian is in contention to feature for Leeds at left-back against Bristol City on Saturday (7 October) due to a number of injury problems.
Daniel Farke is without Jamie Shackleton and Junior Firpo for the match at Ashton Gate, while Sam Byram is a major fitness doubt.
That leaves Farke light of options, meaning he may possibly turn to centre-back Pascal Struijk or relatively untested 20-year-old Hjelde.
However, writing for Leeds Live (7 October), Cross warned: “Pascal Struijk or Leo Hjelde seem like the most natural replacements, but the former is settled in central defence and the latter has looked out of his depth.
“A back three or an out-of-position option seem the least likely outcomes this afternoon.”
Best choice?
There is still a chance Byram could be available to face Bristol City, but he has already played twice over the past week and will surely not be risked.
Hjelde is the most natural option there given that is his preferred position, but he has only played eight times for Leeds since joining From Celtic in August 2021.
The youngster was sent out on loan to Rotherham United for the second half of last season and has played a total of 45 minutes for Leeds in the league since returning.
That came on the opening day of the campaign when he produced a poor performance and was substituted off at half-time with United two goals down in an eventual 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.
If Farke is to make full use of his squad, though, then surely Hjelde must be given another shot in this situation.
If not, and if he does not want to field a centre-back out wide, Jaidon Anthony is a more outlandish suggestion to slot in there as he played at full-back for Bournemouth in pre-season.
Either way, all eyes will be on that position when Farke hands in his team sheet at 2pm.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites player must learn his lesson after the news that emerged on Friday (6 October).