Here are the Leeds United morning headlines on Tuesday 19th January.
Tomori chance missed
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes the club have 'missed a trick' in securing the signature of Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea, even if it were only to be for six months.
Speaking to Football Insider, the striker-turned-pundit feels the Whites had a golden opportunity to sign a wantaway England international on a short-term loan deal to bolster their ailing defensive options.
“I think Leeds missed a trick in not signing him.
It is not like he is going to an average club here, it is a club fighting at the top of Serie A and will no doubt be in the Champions League next season," he added in response to the rumours swirling that Tomori's move to Milan would be announced imminently.
Leeds may not be too disappointed by these latest developments given their own international defender Diego Llorente returned to action yesterday, albeit for the U23s.
Statistics experts predict plain sailing
Highly-respected US analytics company FiveThirtyEight have calculated the likelihood of every Premier League team's finish this season, throwing up a positive observation from a Leeds United perspective.
The company predict Leeds have just a 3% chance of relegation this year, owing to a start which sees them lay claim to 23 points from 18 games.
Typically 40 points is the guaranteed safety benchmark for Premier League clubs and Leeds needing just 17 more points from their remaining 20 games means there is a strong likelihood they will reach the heralded figure.
FiveThirtyEight believe 35 points will be enough to stay up this season, predicting eight teams with a greater likelihood of relegation, including Wolves and Newcastle United.
Llorente performance gives Bielsa Newcastle decision
Diego Llorente's solid performance for the U23s in a 1-0 win over Stoke City U23s yesterday has given Marcelo Bielsa food for thought, and options in central defence for next week's Premier League meeting with Newcastle United.
Depending on whether the Magpies start with two up front as they did against Arsenal last night, Bielsa may be forced to play his alternative 3-3-1-3 formation.
With Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi still out, Llorente's availability would make Bielsa's task a great deal simpler as he would be able to field Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and Llorente in a strong, well-staffed back three.
The defender's first outing for the 23s at Thorp Arch came after another month-long injury lay-off, but Bielsa was watching, pictured on the sidelines by the club cameraman.
