Marcelo Bielsa drops selection hint for Leeds’ clash at Salford

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Leeds United face Salford City in the opening round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Marcelo Bielsa has hinted, in comments reported by Leeds Live, that Helder Costa will make his full debut for Leeds when they travel to Salford on Tuesday, while the likes of Illan Meslier and Mateusz Bogusz will get the chance to make their first appearances for the Whites in the Carabao Cup tie.

Leeds face the League Two side in the opening round of the competition this week. With Bielsa naming the same starting lineup for the opening two games of the new Championship season, it will come as no surprise that he is planning to make changes for the next fixture.

When asked about whether Leeds had anymore injury worries, Bielsa confirmed that Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts remain the only absentees, before explaining that those who started Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest on the bench are set to be involved at Salford.

“No. Only Ayling and Roberts,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live, when asked about any injuries. “Some of the players who played on Saturday are going to play again and others are going to rest. Some others will go to the bench.

“The players who were on the bench in the previous game are going to play this game and some young players will go to the game as subs.”

The comments suggest that Meslier will get the chance to replace Kiko Casilla in goal, while Jamie Shackleton, Bogusz and Jack Clarke will be among the young players to start against Graham Alexander’s men.

The fans may also be hoping to see Eddie Nketiah get a good chance to prove a point ahead of this weekend’s game against Wigan Athletic. Patrick Bamford had a mixed afternoon against Forest, so the door is open for Nketiah to perhaps push his new teammate for a spot in the side. Bielsa confirmed that the Arsenal striker will feature tomorrow (via Leeds Live).

Leeds’ priority will undoubtedly be to build on their promising start to the new Championship season. But with Bielsa set to make substantial changes for the cup tie, it would be a big boost for the Whites if they could get through what promises to be a tough test and ensure that some of their fringe players have another big opportunity to impress in the next round.