MARCELO BIELSA is so relaxed about Leeds’ mounting injuries in defence that he named his team for West Ham two days early.
Robin Koch is out for three months, while Bielsa revealed Diego Llorente will miss at least a fortnight.
How Leeds will line up for their clash with West Ham
But the Leeds boss insists he will not panic buy in January.
With his options limited, Bielsa was asked if he will keep the Hammers guessing ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
And, without a care in the world, the Argentine responded: “Rodrigo is going to come in for Llorente, and the 11 is going to be: Meslier, Dallas, Ayling, Cooper, Alioski, Phillips, Raphinha, Klich, Rodrigo, Harrison, Bamford.”
Marcelo Bielsa has already named his starting XI for Friday’s match with West HamCredit: EPA
He added: “We are not thinking of the possibility of bringing another centre-back in.
“Luke Ayling played centre-back against Aston Villa and had a very good game, as did Pascal Strujik against Liverpool.
“In the Championship, Kalvin Phillips also played centre-back and he adapted to this role.”
Koch played on after picking up the knee injury on his debut in the season’s opener at Liverpool.
Llorente made his debut replacing Koch after nine minutes last weekend against Chelsea but picked up a muscle injury late on at Stamford Bridge.
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And Biela said:“After Koch picked up a knee injury against Liverpool we knew he would have to have surgery.
“We won’t be able to count on Diego for at least two weeks. Perhaps it could last longer, depending on his evolution.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
