Samu Saiz is eligible for Leeds United in midweek.
For the first time in 2018, Samu Saiz is eligible for Leeds United’s next Championship game.
The Spaniard has finally finished serving his six game ban for spitting and could feature in Leeds’ next game against Derby County.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom was quizzed after Leeds’ 2-2 draw with Bristol City whether Saiz would go straight into the starting line-up.
Leeds have not won a game since Saiz’s suspension and it seems obvious that Leeds will put him back into the team providing he is fully fit.
Heckingbottom was careful not to give too much away but explained Leeds have been doing some specific work with the former Huesca player on his conditioning, along with fellow suspended stars Gaetano Berardi and Liam Cooper.
Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Leeds: “You want me to give a lot away here. We’ll see.
“He’s been working hard, with Bera and Liam we’ve been giving them lots of extra attention trying to bridge that gap, because its a long time out.
“You see it with injured players who come back. Its very difficult to get straight up to speed. One thing I do know is all three are desperate to get back involved and that’s a good thing.”
Leeds cannot afford a defeat to Derby in their efforts to try and clinch a play-off place and at this point they should not hold back.
If Saiz is not up to fitness then that is a huge knock on him and his preparation during his time out, but it sounds as though Leeds have been determined to not let his levels of fitness slip.
Despite Heckingbottom being keen to play his cards close to his chest, Leeds fans will expect to see Saiz in the starting XI in their next match.
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