Marcelo Bielsa outlined the importance of having different options following Leeds United's 4-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Eddie Nketiah has been sidelined for almost a month following the lower abdominal injury he suffered in training, but returned to the bench in the victory.
The Arsenal loanee was ruled out of the clash with Queen’s Park Rangers at the start of November and sat out the rest of United’s perfect November (five wins from five games), save for the final ten minutes against Jonathan Woodgate’s men.
“It’s a long competition,” said Bielsa in his post-match press conference.
“It’s very important we have players who play in different positions, like Pablo, Dallas or Alioski.
“Also important to have two options in each position. Both positions with the same level.
In the past, Nketiah has often been introduced with Leeds in search of a breakthrough, which he’s provided off the bench in the league games against Brentford, Barnsley and Preston.
But on Saturday Leeds were already four goals up and cruising towards three points.
The 20-year-old striker is still awaiting his first Championship start of the season amid fears he could be recalled by the Gunners, but he could be set for a more prominent role with fixtures coming thick and fast over the Christmas period.
He featured for the second half of Leeds Under-23s 2-1 win over Sheffield United [ ] on Friday before his brief cameo for Bielsa’s first team the next day.
“We are happy Eddie comes back,” the Leeds manager added.
“Yesterday he played 45 minutes and today he had 20 more minutes.
“Step-by-step he will get his fitness level to come back to competition.”
Next up for Leeds is a visit to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town.
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