Pascal Struijk has told BBC Radio Leeds he will have no complaints playing out of position should Marcelo Bielsa need him to plug an alternative gap in the Leeds United defence.
The Whites welcome rivals Manchester United to Elland Road on Sunday but are continuing to manage numerous injuries. Stuart Dallas joined the clutch of stars receiving treatment in West Yorkshire last weekend after he sustained a knock following a tackle from Alex Iwobi.
Per the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds now have eight first-team players recovering from an injury. Patrick Bamford remains a long-term absentee with foot pain. But Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips recently returned to light training following their respective hamstring issues.
Junior Firpo is another out of action with the £13m summer signing from Barcelona nursing a thigh injury. He stands a chance of facing Manchester United after Bielsa stated last week that the Whites ‘anticipate’ the left-back’s return. But he may let him build his fitness first.
Firpo has missed Leeds’ last three Premier League fixtures due to his gripe. Dallas took his place in Bielsa’s defence at Everton last week before his issue, which saw Leo Fuhr Hjelde feature. The 18-year-old is, however, yet to start a top-flight game after two appearances.
Struijk happy to plug Firpo, Dallas role in injury-hit Leeds line-up
Struijk has no issue facing Manchester United at left-back if Bielsa rests Firpo and Leeds are without Dallas through injury. The Dutchman has rarely played at full-back in his career, but has made four outings in the position already this season – including in one U23s game.
“I think I’ve played there three times, or four times,” Struijk said. “I would feel comfortable [playing there], but obviously I would feel a bit more comfortable in my natural position. But if the manager asked me to do it, then that’s not a problem.”
Struijk made his three senior appearances at left-back as Leeds faced Leicester, Tottenham and Crystal Palace in the Premier League. All three outings came in November, returning a win, draw and one defeat – beating the Eagles 1-0, in a game he also suffered a hip injury.
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