Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has insisted that Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah is at the level to make his starting 11 this season.
The striker has made just one appearance for the Championship side since completing a deadline day loan move from the Emirates Stadium. The 20-year-old started and scored in the team's 3-0 victory over Salford City in the League Cup.
Nketiah was an unused substitute for the Whites' latest Championship game - a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
When asked if he will be confident in starting Nketiah along with fellow summer signing Helder Costa for a Championship game, the Leeds manager hinted that more game time in the league could be around the corner for the Arsenal man.
"We have no doubt these players are ready to play and report to the team," he said in his pre-match press conference, as reported by LeedsLive.
"The idea is to have 18 players who can play in the first 11, and these two players are in the group of this level of player."
Nketiah is highly rated at Arsenal, with manager Unai Emery initially unsure about sending him out on loan in search of vitally important game time.
With the youngster only having made one appearance so far, the club may not be happy with the amount of time that he is currently getting at Leeds.
But, when questioned over if there will be a financial penalty from Arsenal should Nketiah not get the desired game time this season, Bielsa admitted that there could be some punishment.
"It will be something if they are not playing," he added. "I do not know if there will be some penalty or not."
Nketiah will be hoping to make his first league appearance for Leeds when Bielsa's team face Brentford in the Championship tomorrow night (Wednesday).
