Here are the Leeds United evening headlines on Saturday, May 30.
Augustin update as he proves fitness
After a frustrating first few months at Elland Rd following his January move from RB Leipzig, Jean-Kevin Augustin reportedly still must prove to Marcelo Bielsa that he deserves a role in the starting XI, despite finally getting over his fitness problems.
Per Football Insider, Augustin is in the best physical shape he has been in since his arrival, but Bielsa is still not totally convinced that he should be a regular starter if and when the Championship resumes play later this summer.
Bielsa has been loyal to the players that have delivered for him, including Patrick Bamford, who came under pressure earlier in the season from Eddie Nketiah as he went through a dry spell. Bielsa stuck with Bamford, however, and Arsenal subsequently recalled Nketiah amid concerns of his lack of playing time.
That led Augustin to Leeds and the Frenchman has now shaken off his injury problems, the latest of which was a hamstring issue, and has focused on returning to full fitness during lockdown.
Nevertheless, Bielsa seems set to persist with Bamford in the centre forward position. Augustin will have to impress in the opportunities he is given to win a starting role.
Casilla provides behind the scenes insight
Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has provided a behind the scenes look as Leeds’ return to training this week.
Posting on his Instagram account with the caption, ‘we are back to work!’, Casilla showed three clips of him working with goalkeeper coach, Marcos Abad, as he looks to maintain his fitness amid rumours regarding his long-term future with the club.
Casilla is also currently in the middle of an eight-game suspension due to racial abuse. He will only be available to play Leeds’ final three matches of the season, with Ilan Meslier set to take the starting role before his return.
Despite these problems, along with the difficulties that come with the social distancing protocols that have been put in place, Casilla and the rest of the Leeds squad are working hard as they prepare themselves for the Championship’s return.
Neil gives Championship deadline
Preston manager Alex Neil has said that the Championship must resume by June 20 if the league is to be completed in time without disrupting the future football schedule.
“I think we're probably going to have to start by June 20 to fit it in,” he told Sky Sports News. “We've got nine league games remaining. I'm not quite sure what the play-offs scenario is going to be, but I think to fit the games in we would need to start on the same weekend as the Premier League.
“I think the Premier League deciding on a date is a massive step forward. What we've been searching for as managers is there being a date because if you get a start date you can work yourself back to get your players ready within that period.”
Like Leeds, Neil and Preston are keen to complete the season to maintain the campaign’s sporting integrity.
“We've very much looking at the fairness and the integrity of the league so we want to play the 46 games,” he said. “If we get the chance to play the games, we'll be ready to play. We're certainly not trying to halt the season, all the way along we've wanted to get back playing so that certainly hasn't changed.
“We're in a good position at the moment and if we deserve to be in the play-offs we'll win enough games between now and the end of the season and if we don't do that then we don't deserve to be there.”
