Marcelo Bielsa explains Leeds’ current January plans for Lewie Coyle

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Leeds United could recall Lewie Coyle from his loan spell, and Marcelo Bielsa has provided an update on the Whites’ plans for the right-back.

In comments reported by Leeds Live, Marcelo Bielsa has hinted that Victor Orta could have a major say in deciding whether Leeds choose to bring Lewie Coyle back to Elland Road during the January transfer window.

Leeds’ injury problems have been well-documented this season, and they continue to be relentless. Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas have become the latest first-team players to be sidelined.

Bielsa has confirmed, as reported by Leeds Live, that Jamie Shackleton will start at right-back against Queens Park Rangers this weekend. And while Shackleton has done well whenever called upon this season, another midfielder being used in the role is bound to leave more supporters asking for Coyle to be brought back from his loan at Fleetwood in January.

But Bielsa has hinted that he is expecting a quiet January, and will look to Orta for guidance before making a call on Coyle.

“We will make the analysis according to what Victor Orta proposes. As a matter of fact, the only player we lost for the season is Jamal Blackman,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live.

“And the players we have, I’m very happy with and the players Victor Orta brought to the club. The contribution of the players from the academy is very important.

“I don’t see the need to bring any other player in now. If it’s a player better than the one we have I would agree with the fact he comes, but I know how expensive that could be.”

Coyle is playing regularly with the League One side, and by the time the January window opens, Luke Ayling is expected to be back while Dallas and Gaetano Berardi may not be too far away.

Therefore, if the circumstances do not change, perhaps leaving Coyle at Fleetwood for the duration of his loan spell makes a lot of sense.

But given how Leeds’ luck has been with injuries so far this season, it would probably not be a surprise if the circumstances do change once again before the time comes to make a decision on Coyle’s situation.