Leeds United could be without another two defenders for Saturday’s trip to Stoke City.
Leeds are already without Luke Ayling at the Bet365 Stadium and according to their manager, Marcelo Bielsa, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper are both doubts.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post on Friday lunchtime, Bielsa said that Jamie Shackleton and Gaetano Berardi would come in for Dallas and Cooper, respectively, should the latter pair fail to make it.
But could it also mean a squad debut for a player who was conspicuous by his absence from Leeds Under-23s’ win against Ipswich Town on Friday?
Bryce Hosannah impressed as Carlos Corberan’s side beat Millwall 3-2 on Monday, but was omitted from the Spaniard’s 16-man squad earlier and replaced by Dan Burlace with no explanation (as yet) given.
Of course, it could be the case that Hosannah picked up an injury between the two fixtures, but it would come as little surprise to see the former Crystal Palace right-back included in tomorrow’s travelling party – as the following Leeds fans would concur.
Hosannah has never before made one of Leeds’ matchday squads, although regular watchers of the Whites’ U23s will attest that he has been knocking on the door for a while now.
And Bielsa has shown, through Shackleton, Leif Davis, Ryan Edmondson and most recently, Alfie McCalmont, that he is not afraid to promote from within when his options wear thin.
Could Hosannah be the next to find himself elevated into the first team?
Leeds fans – what if anything should be read into Hosannah’s absence from Under-23 team duty?
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