Leeds United have welcomed Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton back from injury, but head coach Marcelo Bielsa has stated that neither will feature against Fulham on Saturday.
Bielsa has been without Roberts since our 1-0 win over Reading at the end of November, when the seven-time Wales international was forced off on just 35 minutes after sustaining a muscle issue.
The trip to the Madejski Stadium saw Roberts make his fourth successive league start and ninth appearance of the campaign overall, having suffered an injury-plagued start to the term after coming out of the summer break with a knock on his ankle that required surgery.
Shackleton has likewise been forced to watch the action from the sidelines since late November, having sustained a muscular injury during his one-minute cameo appearance at Reading when he made his return from a hamstring strain.
His various gripes have been enough to keep Shackleton from playing regularly since injuring his hamstring against West Bromwich Albion on October 1, the last of six starts for the 20-year-old in all competitions this term.
Bielsa will not be handing Shackleton his seventh start or Roberts his fifth against Fulham, though, as the boss has admitted that neither will be featuring when Scott Park’s Cottagers arrive at Elland Road this Saturday.
“Tyler is healthy, Shackleton also” Bielsa told reporters during his pre-game press conference on Thursday, via quotes by Leeds Live.
“Next week, they will train with the team.”
Does Shackleton or Roberts start once fully-fit?
Yes, both do
Only Jamie
Only Tyler
Neither will
Bielsa also added that he had no new information on Adam Forshaw’s recovery from a hip injury, which has forced the 28-year-old to play just 45 minutes of Championship football since August and none since September.
The boss will have captain Liam Cooper back in his ranks to face Fulham, though, having been without the 28-year-old for our last three games with a calf strain.
“Cooper is back with the team,” Bielsa noted.
In other Leeds United news, the club’s pursuit of a free-scoring attacker has hit the rocks.