Leeds United look poised to welcome midfield architect Pablo Hernandez back into contention for this weekend's clash with QPR at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon, head coach Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed.
The Spaniard, who joined the Elland Road club back in August 2016, has missed Leeds' last six Championship matches due to a collection of muscle and hamstring issues.
Hernandez was initially sidelined with a muscle problem, forcing him to miss several key games, before suffering a fresh hamstring problem against Birmingham City's Under-23s almost two weeks ago.
on Thursday lunchtime, Bielsa has confirmed that Hernandez will be available to face QPR this weekend.
Bielsa said: "Pablo Hernandez is good. He's a player we miss when he's not here."
Whilst Hernandez's return will be welcomed with open arms by Leeds, the Whites have been dealt three further injury concerns ahead of the meeting with Mark Warburton's Rs, with Barry Douglas, Ezgjan Alioski and Patrick Bamford all carrying injury problems.
Douglas, who missed last Saturday's goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday due to a knee problem, is still nursing the same problem, whilst Alioski (side) and Bamford (ankle) are carrying fresh injury issues.
Though the trio's injuries are far from ideal, Bielsa has not officially ruled any of them out, insisting they could still be available.
"Bamford has a little problem in the ankle," said Bielsa. "Alioski and Douglas have some little problems as well. Douglas in the knee and Alioski in the side."
Elsewhere, Saturday's clash with the Londoners will come too soon for midfielder Adam Forshaw, with the former Brentford man still sidelined as he continues to recover from a hip injury.
