Could Leeds’ Jack Clarke return in time to haunt Sheffield United again?

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Jack Clarke provided the decisive assist when Leeds United beat their promotion rivals earlier in the season.

Leeds have received a huge boost ahead of the final 11 games of the season with Marcelo Bielsa suggesting – in comments reported by Leeds Live – that Jack Clarke could soon be back in contention after recovering from a virus.

Clarke has not played since the worrying scenes at Middlesbrough last month. But Bielsa has suggested that he is expected to be involved with the under-23 side that take on Charlton on Monday and Fulham three days later, and could then come back into the first-team fold.

It is not clear how much involvement Clarke will have over the two under-23 games, but it may be safe to assume that Tuesday’s trip to Reading will come too soon for the winger.

So perhaps, his long-awaited return to the senior side will come next weekend when Leeds host Sheffield United in what is looking set to be a key game in the battle for promotion out of the Championship.

Right now, the Whites sit second in the table with the Blades one place and two points off Bielsa’s men. It would be little surprise if the pair remained within touching distance of each other by the time Chris Wilder brings his side over to West Yorkshire.

There are plenty of players that Sheffield United will be wary of, but perhaps the stage could be perfectly set for Clarke to haunt the Blades once again having made a decisive impact when the two teams met in December.

It seems a lifetime ago now, but Clarke was still trying to force his way into Bielsa’s starting lineup when the Whites travelled to Bramall Lane. He was brought on for Gjanni Alioski after 45 minutes.

And it was the teenager who latched onto Dean Henderson’s mistake to set Pablo Hernandez up for the 82nd minute winner. It was not the most notable moment of quality that Clarke has provided this term, but he was praised for his ability to realise that he needed to lift the pass slightly as Henderson looked to block his cross with his leg.

It was a moment of composure that Leeds fans have now begun to expect from Clarke.

And as it may well be just one moment of quality that decides next weekend’s meeting, having Clarke back in the ranks would clearly be a big boost for Leeds.