Phil Hay: This is why Diego Llorente was missing for Leeds Under-23s on Monday
We were expecting to see Leeds United centre-back Diego Llorente in action on Monday after the player resumed training but he was missing from the Under-23s line-up to face Burnley.
However, the news on the Spain international is good.
Marcelo Bielsa had wanted Llorente to get Under-23s game time before playing for the first team.
His absence seemed like a blow but Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said it was a change of plan brought about by the FA Cup defeat to Crawley on Sunday and that Llorente is fit.
Writing on the Athletic on Tuesday, Hay said, “The result [against Crawley] led to slight changes of tack and a switch in some of Bielsa’s plans for the week.
“Diego Llorente, his Spain international, had been lined up for an outing with the under-23s at Burnley yesterday but was missing from the line-up when it was published in the afternoon.
“Llorente is on his way back from muscle strain but sources at Leeds say his absence at Burnley was not injury-related or down to fresh fitness concerns.
“He looks set to be fully involved in first-team training this week, despite a previous indication from Bielsa that the former Real Sociedad player, who has made just one senior appearance this term, needs under-23s matches to build himself up.”
Great news for Leeds
This is great news for Leeds, who are heading back to full fitness minus long-term absentees Adam Forshaw and Robin Koch.
Liam Cooper played 45 minutes against Crawley and it sounds like Llorente could feature in the Brighton game despite missing the Under-23s clash.
It didn’t hurt the Under-23s any, who cantered to a 4-1 victory over Burnley and solidified their lead at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table.
The one issue for Leeds on Saturday is Kalvin Phillips, who is missing after picking up a one-game ban for five yellow cards.
We’re expecting to see Pascal Struijk play the defensive midfield position after Phillips dropped back to centre-back against Crawley.
Brighton, meanwhile, have real issues, with four players confirmed out and Ben White a doubt.
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday and is live on Sky Sports.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Massive’, ‘Excellent’: Some Leeds fans react as Adam Pope posts big update for clash v Brighton