David Woods

Tue 28 January 2020 13:19, UK

Marcelo Bielsa is said to be very excited by Jean-Kevin Augustin and Leeds United fans might get a chance to see how good he is for themselves very shortly after the same Yorkshire Evening Post said he was “readying himself” for his potential debut on Saturday. 

Bielsa said he was unlikely to feature in the game on Tuesday night against Millwall but it looks like he’s arrived fit and ready to go, despite not playing a lot of football this season.

He’s only played 30 minutes in the last five games at Monaco and Bielsa had warned previously that it might take a new player a considerable period of time to get up to speed.

However, the YEP report hints that Augustin has arrived 100% fit and ready to play and that’s a considerable boost for Leeds who have been struggling in the Championship over the festive period.

Augustin signed on an initial loan deal on Monday and Leeds have an option to make the deal permanent if they get promoted.

Leeds fans are hoping Augustin can help towards this end and the striker certainly has an exciting pedigree after playing for PSG, Red Bull Leipzig and Monaco.

Talking on Monday’s episode of the Sky Sports EFL podcast David Prutton said, “If Leeds’ woes continue going forward, then Bielsa has got to seriously think about starting a player like that.”

That could happen in the game against Wigan on Saturday, although knowing Bielsa he’s more likely to feature from the bench.

That gives Patrick Bamford the opportunity to get back to scoring ways – he hasn’t registered a goal since the 2-1 defeat to Fulham before Christmas.

He’ll know he’s got real competition for the starting striker place now and that will hopefully spur him back into action.

If not, we can see Augustin starting before too long and we’re excited at that prospect. He could crush the Championship if he’s as good as Bielsa thinks.

In other Leeds United news, Leeds move too impressive – Ornstein makes big Man United claim over Augustin deal