Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has stated that he hopes Marco Bielsa uses his fringe players against Salford City to prevent injuries to key players according to Football Insider.
Bielsa has confirmed to the media that the likes of Gaetano Berardi will be handed their first starts of the season with the likes of Berardi having not yet featured in their two Championship fixtures to date.
The Whites have faced a fair number of departures in the last transfer window and Whelan revealed that he was both excited and worried about their trip to take on the League Two side, with the fear of injuries hitting what is already a squad lacking in depth and numbers.
The former Leeds man said: “I’m expecting a lot of changes, it’s going to be interesting to see these players who haven’t played much of the Championship yet and see their appetite and their professionalism because it is a potential banana skin.”
“I want to see real commitment and professionalism. We’re only two games in, no injuries or suspensions and hopefully that will be the case against Salford. You’re always dreading injuries because as much as you’ve had a pre-season, these games in the evening, you want to come through these games committed but free of injury and with a result.”
“You don’t want to be going there trying to get through the 90 minutes. I want to see full-blooded tackles, people fighting for their place and to worry the person in your place at the minute.”
Leeds will of course be the overwhelming favourites going into the game however a trip away in any cup competition can never be underestimated and whoever is picked to make the Leeds starting line up will have to be at the top of their games.
