Leeds star Kemar Roofe has previous at Preston North End

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Kemar Roofe produced one of his best performances for Leeds United during a win at Deepdale in 2016.

There can be no doubt that Leeds fans have not seen a better season from Kemar Roofe than the one he is currently enjoying. The forward is the Whites’ top goalscorer and has been a revelation up front in Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Roofe was previously one of the more frustrating members of the Leeds squad. On his day, he looked unplayable, but those days could be few and far between as he ended his first season with just three league goals under his belt.

However, it was a performance from that first campaign at Elland Road that should give Bielsa and the Leeds supporters reason to be slightly more optimistic following the huge setback the Whites have suffered concerning Pablo Hernandez.

As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Bielsa has confirmed that Hernandez is a doubt for Tuesday’s game against Preston North End due to a foot injury. And he also announced that if the Spaniard does not make it, it will be Roofe who takes his place in the starting lineup.

Given how influential Hernandez can be, Preston will be much happier if he is not involved. But starting with Roofe in an attacking midfield role could be a masterstroke from Bielsa given what he did at Deepdale in 2016.

Leeds stormed to a 4-1 Boxing Day victory on that occasion. And while he may have only scored one of the goals, Roofe was instrumental in guiding the Whites to the three points, providing two assists from the number 10 position – the role he will surely feature from tonight if he plays.

As mentioned, it was arguably Roofe’s best display from that first season and would certainly have to be considered one of the biggest highs from his first two years with the Whites.

If he can replicate that kind of display on Tuesday, Leeds may not miss Hernandez at all. And more importantly, Bielsa’s men will stand a fantastic chance of reclaiming second spot ahead of Sheffield United’s game in hand on Wednesday.