By Craig Scott

24th Jun, 2020 | 7:00am

Phil Hay responds when asked if Leeds can complete emergency month-long loan deal

Leeds United cannot add any new players to their squad for the rest of this season – even if there is a huge injury crisis, according to Phil Hay.

The Athletic journalist was asked on Twitter whether Leeds can complete a short, month-long emergency loan deal to add some depth to the squad amid a spate of injury and fitness issues.

Pablo Hernandez, Jean-Kevin Augustin, Barry Douglas and Adam Forshaw all missed the 2-0 defeat at Cardiff on Sunday for one reason or another but Hay reports that Marcelo Bielsa’s squad is now locked in until next season.

Bielsa and Victor Orta would have known this for some time but it is not as if Bielsa hasn’t had to deal with an injury crisis before in his time at Elland Road.

The Leeds manager likes to work with a small squad of senior players that are backed up by Under-23s players that he knows and trusts to perform if called upon – something which Hay has made clear.

It’s not like Leeds have a huge injury crisis anyway.

Hernandez is set to return to training this week and could be in contention to play against Fulham at the weekend.

Leeds managed just fine without Augustin before the season was suspended and Tyler Roberts can step in up front if needed.

As for Douglas, he is hardly Leeds’ first-choice left-back and Forshaw has been injured almost all season.

If Leeds are going to have an injury crisis anywhere it is in the centre of the midfield but Bielsa’s drilled versatility into his players so there are always a number of options at his disposal.

The Whites will be fine. They won’t need any new additions and probably wouldn’t add any more players if they could.

In other Leeds United news, a BBC journalist has shared an inside glimpse of a new addition at Elland Road – but players might not be keen.