Leeds United are on the brink of a long-awaited return to the Premier League.
A victory against Barnsley would guarantee automatic promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 16 years, a moment which Whites fans across the globe have anticipated for some time.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side suffered a setback after Kalvin Phillips was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, which will leave a significant hole in the squad that will need to be filled.
Adam Forshaw has been an option that the Argentinian tactician could utilise but is also struggling with his own fitness setback due to a long-standing hip problem.
Replying to a fan on Twitter, The Athletic’s Phil Hay provided an update on the fitness of Forshaw and wrote off any chance that he would feature on Thursday.
getting very close to full training but no, won’t play in these last three games (was never going to).
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 14, 2020
It is a great shame as Forshaw would have been an ideal replacement for the run-in, but it looks as if the 28-year-old will also be absent.
A similar setup that saw Leeds beat Middlesbrough 1-0 could be used, with Ben White in front of the back four, and Pablo Hernandez and Mateusz Klich starting in the middle.
Is it inevitable that Leeds will be in the Premier League next season?
Yes
No
With Barnsley coming to town on Thursday and analysing the season that they are having, it could be a good time for the Whites to come up against the Tykes.