Leeds centre-back Diego Llorente suffered a hamstring injury just minutes into his return to action after a muscle strain; Marcelo Bielsa says it is primarily up to Ezgjan Alioski to decide whether or not he wants to remain at Elland Road
Friday 29 January 2021 17:21, UK
Marcelo Bielsa is set to be without Diego Llorente for up to four weeks, while the Leeds head coach revealed it is up to Ezgjan Alioski whether or not he wants to remain at the club beyond the end of the season.
A muscle strain had kept Llorente sidelined for several weeks and although he came in for his first Leeds start at Newcastle on Tuesday, he lasted just a few minutes before appearing to injure his hamstring at St James' Park.
Bielsa confirmed Llorente faces another spell out of action as the centre-back's stop-start time at the club continues, following his £18m move from Real Sociedad in September.
"It's a muscular injury and he's going to be out of the team for three to four weeks. We're all trying to help and support him through this injury," Bielsa said ahead of his side's trip to Leicester on Sunday - live on Sky Sports.
Bielsa, who said there are no new "important injuries" in his squad ahead of their visit to the King Power Stadium, was asked if he thought Alioski would remain at the club past the current campaign.
The North Macedonian winger is into the final few months of a four-year deal he signed when joining from Swiss club Lugano and has been a regular in Leeds' rise from the Sky Bet Championship to the Premier League.
He has started in 14 of Leeds' 19 top-flight matches this season but amid continuing speculation about his future - he has been linked with a move to Galatasaray this week - Bielsa offered an ambiguous update.
"I'm only one opinion with regards to the equation of whether Alioski stays or not," the Argentinian added. "The most important thing is that he wants to stay.
"When it comes to a player staying at the club, the first and most important thing is that the player wants to stay, the player should choose the club and after the club will decide whether they want him.
"I think if Alioski chooses Leeds, Leeds will choose Alioski."
United ended a three-game losing run when they beat Newcastle 2-1 in midweek to pile the pressure on Magpies head coach Steve Bruce, but must now travel to face a Foxes side who thumped them 4-1 when they met at Elland Road in November.
While Bielsa appreciates how dangerous Leicester are, even without star striker Jamie Vardy as he recovers from minor hernia surgery, he does not think the result in West Yorkshire will have any bearing on their latest showdown.
"The games are not comparable and the reality is that teams change on a weekly basis," said Bielsa.
"But what stands out the most about Leicester is the way they combine and elaborate to attack and I think that's the most dangerous thing about them."
