MOT View: Leeds set to deliver major pointer about Augustin availability v Forest imminently
Leeds United Under-23s play Derby County in the PL Cup tonight and we’ll be there to bring you live updates from Bootham Crescent.
One player that Leeds fans will be desperately hoping not to see in the line-up is new striker Jean-Kevin Augustin.
If he makes his second Under-23s appearance in a week, it will be a sure sign that he won’t be named in the senior matchday squad for the game against Forest tomorrow.
That would be the third consecutive game he’s missed since he arrived from RB Leipzig.
Early indicators suggest that he is more likely to play tonight than tomorrow at the City Ground.
In yesterday’s press conference Bielsa said he still wasn’t match-fit – or at least the version of match-fit that Bielsa insists on.
The best way for him to get that match fitness is by playing matches, with the Under-23s game tonight another opportunity to get minutes under his belt.
Augustin played 45 minutes on Monday and didn’t look too sharp. It’s not easy adjusting for an Under-23s game though and he declared himself 100% ready to play after the game, despite limping off at half-time after a hefty challenge.
If he is named in the starting line-up tonight it will be a major disappointment for Leeds fans, but it will provide another opportunity to see him in action – and to pray that he doesn’t get injured before he’s even put a first-team shirt on.
In other Leeds United news, Times journalist makes Augustin training claim after visit to Thorp Arch