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Joe Mewis

Leeds United digest: Nketiah and Bamford debate rumbles on, injury boost, referees, Bielsa transcript

Thursday was dominated by Marcelo Bielsa's pre-Sheffield Wednesday press conference, as the Leeds United head coach gave a series of detailed answers on the key issues facing the club ahead of Saturday's trip to Hillsborough.

Injuries, form, Garry Monk, where his side have improved and the small matter of the Patrick Bamford versus Eddie Nketiah debate were all up for debate.

Here's a look at the latest Leeds United stories.

Why Bielsa is picking Bamford over Nketiah

Marcelo Bielsa gave an impassioned and detailed explanation of why Patrick Bamford has kept his starting place in the Leeds United team over Eddie Nketiah .

Arsenal loanee Nketiah came off the bench to score an equaliser at Preston mid-week, after Bamford had made it eight appearances without scoring.

The goal means Nketiah is now Leeds' leading scorer this term with five goals, despite player far fewer minutes than the former Middlesbrough man.

Read more here.

Injury boost

Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that both Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton are 'well' and available for the game against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Cooper and Shackleton picked up injuries in the 1-0 win against West Brom earlier this month. Cooper will be expected to partner up with Ben White at the back. Gaetano Berardi had been filling in for the injured captain in recent game.

Pablo Hernandez and Adam Forshaw remain sidelined for the Whites but Bielsa described Hernandez' condition as 'improving'.

More on Leeds' injuries here.

O'Kane on future plus his relationship with Cellino

Leeds United midfielder Eunan O'Kane has spoken about his time at Leeds United as he continues to recover from the gruesome broken leg he suffered last year.

The Republic of Ireland international had recently embarked on a loan spell with Luton Town when he suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in September 2018 and has not played since.

In an interview with Irish outlet Balls.ie, the 29-year-old has revealed that he had to go back under the knife three weeks ago.

Here's the full story.

Referee for Sheffield Wednesday clash revealed

Referee Tim Robinson has been handed the task of officiating Leeds United's Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

Marcelo Bielsa's men travel down to Hillsborough for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off this weekend with both sides sitting in the top three of the Championship.

Robinson will be in the middle for what could well be a feisty affair given that local bragging rights are up for grabs and has officiated 11 Leeds United games in his career, without sending off a single Whites player.

Here's more on that.

Bielsa full transcript

Marcelo Bielsa was in fine form for his pre-Sheffield Wednesday press conference on Thursday afternoon.

The Leeds United head coach spoke about the usual topics such as injuries and this weekend's opposition, but also gave detailed answers to the Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah debate, spoke about the role of the press and even on how Sheffield United were able to bear Arsenal this week.

Here's every word he said in full.

Visit our  dedicated Leeds United page  for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.

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