Leeds United: Under-23s lineup hints at first-team spots for Summerville and Cresswell
Leeds United’s Under-23s played Blackburn on Friday night and their starting lineup can be used as a clue to determine who will play for the senior side on Saturday.
The starting XI picked by Mark Jackson didn’t include Charlie Cresswell or Crysencio Summerville, suggesting that both players will be involved in the first team on Saturday.
However, it looks to be bad news for Joe Gelhardt, Cody Drameh, and Sam Greenwood, who all started the match.
Marcelo Bielsa has an injury crisis in the first team with central defence a particular worry, and it appear as if Cresswell will be involved against West Ham in some way [Leeds United’s official Twitter account].
If not, he might have played tonight.
There are also concerns over Jack Harrison and Raphinha, and it appears as if Summerville has been drafted into the first-team squad as well, and he could make his first start in the Premier League.
However, while it is good news for Cresswell and Summerville, we can’t help but feel a little sorry for Gelhardt, Drameh, and Greenwood.
Patrick Bamford is injured, which you would have thought could have allowed Gelhardt to stake his first-team claim; however, that now seems unlikely.
The same could also be said for Greenwood, who is also a striker, but it appears as if neither have done enough to convince Bielsa just yet, which is a shame.
Luke Ayling is also a doubt for the match, which means that you could argue that Drameh could have been involved in the first team.
However, that looks unlikely to happen now.
Saturday could be a big day for Cresswell and Summerville, but we feel bad for Drameh, Gelhardt, and Greenwood, who might have to wait a bit longer for their first-team chance.
In other Leeds United news, two players have been spotted with the first team ahead of the West Ham game.