Leeds United head into this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur with a depleted squad.
Indeed, Marcelo Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Helder Costa will be out for the season, while both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are doubts for this game.
Leeds will probably utilise either Robin Koch or Pascal Struijk to replace Phillips, as they have done plenty of times this season, but the absence of both Raphinha and Costa has left the Whites with something of a void down the right wing.
Indeed, Costa would usually fill in for Raphinha when he’s out, but the Portuguese winger’s absence may mean that Leeds need to find an alternative.
Fortunately, United have a player in their squad who can fit in there in the shape of Ian Poveda.
Indeed, the youngster has been Leeds’ third-choice right-winger on plenty of occasions this season, making 13 league appearances off the bench.
However, Poveda is yet to start a Premier League game, and by the time Saturday rolls around it will be 293 days since he last started a league game for Leeds, with his previous start coming against Derby on July 19th last year.
For one reason or another, Bielsa hasn’t trusted Poveda to start a league game in almost a year, but a spate of injuries may force his hand into giving him a chance here.
It remains to be seen whether or not Poveda does actually start for Leeds this weekend, but it would certainly make a lot of sense for him to be given a chance.
293 days after the game against Derby, Bielsa may finally be about to put Poveda back into his starting XI.
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