Adam Forshaw is expected to return to Leeds United’s starting XI for the first time since his return from injury, according to a very reliable source…
What’s the word?
Speaking on this week’s edition of ‘The Phil Hay Show’ on The Athletic, the trusty journalist claimed that the 30-year-old midfielder is expected to start against Manchester United at Elland Road this afternoon.
“Forshaw has to start, for me. I’m pretty sure he will, and particularly after [Marcelo] Bielsa admitted that that was a mistake [not to start him] last weekend,” he claimed.
The long-serving star was withdrawn just 22 minutes into the Whites’ win over West Ham United in the Premier League last month and subsequently missed the clash against Newcastle United before making the bench at Aston Villa.
He came on for five minutes in that match and was substituted on at half-time last weekend, so it appears as if he’s set for his first start since January 16th, over a month ago.
Fantastic news
This will surely leave Leeds supporters absolutely buzzing as one of their much-needed players is set to start in such a crucial encounter, after all, it’s the ‘Battle of the Roses.’
In the absence of Kalvin Phillips, who has missed eight straight games with hamstring troubles, Forshaw has often stepped up to play that sort of deep-lying ball-playing role in front of the backline.
The 30-year-old’s form in a very inconsistent season for the Yorkshire giants has been a real shining light and it’s earned him a fresh contract extension, which only goes to show Bielsa’s faith in him despite his injury problems in the past.
“The extension of Forshaw’s contract is something between the player and the institution. Clearly, his return to the club has been satisfactory,” recently claimed the Argentine head coach.
“Whether he’s played as a defensive midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder, he’s offered solutions. In the absence of Kalvin Phillips, he has helped us resolve things.”
As per WhoScored, Forshaw has averaged two tackles and 2.2 long balls per game, which compared to the England international is pretty similar, with Phillips averaging 2.3 tackles and 3.5 long balls per outing prior to his injury.
The fanbase love the former Boro man as much as Bielsa does and without Phillips, he really is the best alternative in the engine room, so they will surely be pleased, if not hugely excited ahead of kickoff this afternoon.
AND in other news, Bielsa must brutally axe Leeds’ £34k-p/w passenger v Man Utd, he’s been “non-existent”…