Leeds United have plenty of midfield options but who will start if Eunan O’Kane is side-lined?
Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen will be hoping the groin injury suffered by Eunan O’Kane on international duty is not as bad as it could be, but if the midfielder is unavailable for the upcoming match against Burton Albion, the Whites boss has a decision to make.
If O’Kane does not make it, it seems a straight fight between Ronaldo Vieira and Mateusz Klich for a starting spot alongside Kalvin Phillips when the domestic action returns this weekend.
Given his previous performances for Leeds during his breakout campaign, Vieira may be many people’s tip to get the nod. However Klich was not signed to spend all his time on the bench and his experience could see him get the nod over the talented teenager.
Vieira’s participation in the Toulon Tournament meant he was rested for much of Leeds’ pre-season campaign and he has managed just 31 minutes of League football to date, with his only two starts coming in the EFL Cup.
In contrast Klich, who picked up an untimely injury over the summer, has earned only nine minutes in the Championship, starting alongside Vieira against both Newport County and Port Vale in the cup.
At 27, Klich will not have joined Leeds to be a fourth choice option at best, however if Vieira is selected ahead of him on Saturday that could be his reality, at least for the next few months.
In time Leeds will need all of their impressively assembled squad with the matches coming thick and fast. Yet Christiansen’s Saturday selection will go a long way to proving just how he rates his current midfield options.
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