Leeds were unlucky not to take all three points back to Yorkshire after drawing against Derby at Pride Park.
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray has told the club’s official website that the return of Samu Saiz is a “lift for everybody” as the Spaniard came off the bench to shine for the Whites on Wednesday night.
Paul Heckingbottom’s wait for a first win in charge of Leeds will go on, after conceding a 92nd-minute equaliser to Derby County as Chelsea loanee Kasey Palmer found the back of the net in injury time.
Leeds had taken the lead through Pierre-Michel Lasogga who headed home a Stuart Dallas cross, before Andreas Weimann equalised. But Saiz’s introduction saw him play an inch-perfect pass to Ezgjan Alioski who scored.
But Derby were not finished and Palmer’s late goal will have been a huge kick in the teeth for Heckingbottom. But Gray took positives, and stated that Saiz’s return is crucial; he reckons the summer signing will start against Brentford.
“He [Saiz] has done since the start of the season, he lifts the players around him,” Gray said. “They’re expecting him to make things happen. He gives everybody a lift.
“There’s no doubt he’ll start on Saturday, he gives you something different. He strikes fear into the opponents, brings a different dimension to the play. From now until the end of the season, you hope he remains fit.”
The 27-year-old summer signing from Huesca has quickly become an Elland Road favourite for his passionate displays this season, but is renowned for his lack of discipline.
He was banned for six matches prior to Wednesday’s clash due to spitting at Newport County winger Robbie Willmott, but fans will be hoping he can remain available for Heckingbottom’s selection from now until the end of the campaign.
He has had a hand in 15 goals this season, scoring nine and adding six assists, and he is now expected to return to the starting line-up to face Brentford at Elland Road on Saturday.
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