Jesse Marsch and Leeds United face arguably the toughest possible restart to the Premier League season as the Whites host current champions Manchester City at Elland Road on Wednesday evening (8pm).
Despite some recent injury scares, head coach Marsch seemed optimistic that he would have most of his players back in training ahead of the post-World Cup return in his most recent press conference.
However, Leeds fans will be keeping their fingers crossed as question marks are still looming around number one goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s availability. The 22 year old missed all three of the recent mid-season friendlies after suffering with a case of glandular fever.
Marsch was hopeful that he would have his starting keeper back in training and ready to go for Wednesday evening. The fan-favourite has played every minute of Premier League football for Leeds this season and would be hugely missed between the sticks if forced wait longer to make his return.
Marsch commented in his pre-match press conference that Meslier had been active and would be facing some tests to determine his fitness levels for the game [via Leeds United official YouTube Channel]
“With glandular fever its two things; it’s modifying so they don’t get chronic fatigue, and then it’s also making sure that they have no contact so that when they have swelling of internal organs that you’re not risking any damage.”
“He’s felt really good, and I expect him to be in full training.”
Meslier’s absence gave back-up goalkeepers Joel Robles and Kristoffer Klaesson the chance to get some rare minutes in recent friendlies against Elche, Real Sociedad and AS Monaco. While both are ready to step in, Robles is the more likely of the two to pick up the gloves should Meslier’s return be delayed beyond the Man City game, as reported by Phil Hay in The Athletic. The 32 year old former FA Cup winner is considered a reliable alternative, though he would be sure to have his work cut out for him with the seemingly unstoppable Erling Haaland playing up front for City.
Leeds will be without midfield star Tyler Adams who is ineligible through suspension after picking up two yellow cards in a narrow defeat against Spurs before the World Cup break. Stuart Dallas is still recovering from his long-term absence and had a minor surgery to aid his recovery, and Luis Sinisterra is making good progress rehabilitating a foot injury, though isn’t expected to return until January.