There’s been much better luck with injuries for Leeds United this season, but they suffered a minor setback at the weekend with Adam Forshaw sidelined.
Reports suggested that the former Middlesbrough midfielder is suffering with a hip problem and wasn’t deemed fit enough to feature away at Barnsley, but it’s hoped he’ll be fit to return for Saturday’s crunch match against Derby County.
Jamie Shackleton played in his place, making his first Championship start of the season in the Yorkshire derby.
Leeds came out on top, winning 2-0 against the Tykes, and Shackleton offered a notable spark, successfully taking on players and creating a couple of chances for Patrick Bamford with incisive forward passes.
But it was also noticeable that Leeds lacked the same sense of control without Forshaw, who has been a revelation in midfield before the knock, helping Leeds totally dominate each game they’d played in.
But Kiko Casilla was forced into making six saves at Oakwell, nearly as many as in his previous six league outings combined.
Marcelo Bielsa offered an update on Forshaw’s injury status and availability following the game, adding his opinions on Shackleton's performance in his last.
“The same problem which kept him from training after Swansea for 10 days,” said the Leeds boss in his post-Barnsley press conference .
“He trained from Thursday to Saturday normally, but yesterday after training he didn’t feel well to play,”
“Jamie Shackleton was very good. Better in the first half, less impact in the second one. But always with enough.”
Visit our dedicated Leeds United page for the latest news, views and analysis from Elland Road.
