Could Leeds unleash Barry Douglas and Jack Clarke pairing at Wigan?

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Leeds United pair Barry Douglas and Jack Clarke could potentially feature in the same side this weekend.

While Leeds have received another injury setback with the news surrounding Luke Ayling, Marcelo Bielsa’s men have been handed a boost on the other flank with Barry Douglas likely to make his return to the side after coming through an under-23 game unscathed this week.

Douglas coming back into the team for this weekend’s trip to Wigan Athletic will be great news for Leeds if he is put straight back into the side.

Stuart Dallas has struggled at left-back and Douglas was the Championship’s best player in that position last season. He has perhaps not quite found his very best form since arriving at Elland Road, but he has still provided three assists in 11 games.

And what arguably makes Douglas’ potential return all the more exciting is the fact that Bielsa now has the chance to unleash a pairing that could arguably take the division by storm over the coming months.

Since Douglas last played for the first-team, Jack Clarke has made three substitute appearances. In every game, the 17-year-old has looked incredibly lively and made a real difference after coming on.

Against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, he overshadowed Samuel Saiz, who came on at the same time, and in the under-23 win over Hull on Monday, he provided the assist for the opening goal.

There have been a large number of calls for Clarke to be handed his first start for the Whites. And with none of the other wingers in the squad enjoying the best spell of form right now, perhaps this weekend may be the time for the teenager to get his chance.

If he does start and features out on the left, the prospect of having Douglas and Clarke working together should be mouthwatering for Leeds supporters.

Douglas’ return would not only see the Whites improve defensively, but the pair would make Leeds incredibly dangerous going forward.

It should be an extremely exciting prospect for the Elland Road faithful. And perhaps this Sunday could be the moment that sees Bielsa decide to put the pair together.