Elephants in the Leeds United dressing room don’t come a whole lot more obvious than Tyler Adams’s impending suspension. The midfielder, expected back at Thorp Arch this week, will be missing from Manchester City’s visit in a fortnight.
The only saving grace for Jesse Marsch is the time he has had to plan and prepare for the absence. The head coach has known it's been coming and knows who he has to rely on in his compatriot’s vacancy.
The other silver lining is the convenient return to fitness of Adam Forshaw, who has been in full training since before the Tottenham Hotspur loss. The 31-year-old was in the thick of the training action at Oliva Nova last week as he zeros in on a 2023 comeback.
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“That’s my aim,” he said. “I want to build and build as much as I can, ready to be involved for the City game.
“I definitely want to play a part in this second half of the season and try to help the team climb up the table.”
The absence of Adams is not lost on Forshaw either. He can see the squad depth chart and whose is the next cab off the rank in that double pivot Marsch favours.
Sam Greenwood, who would share post-training free-kick practise with Forshaw in Spain, is the number four’s main rival, in his eyes. Ever since he caught the eye in that new role at Brentford last season, Marsch has been keen to keep Greenwood’s foot in the door.
“Of course,” said Forshaw. “I’ve thought about that (Adams’s suspension). I haven’t had any conversations with Jesse yet, but the most obvious number sixes are me and then Sam as well.
“Sam’s done brilliantly recently when he’s come on in games. Bournemouth, off the top of my head, but no doubt I’ll be fighting for my place. Again.”
Forshaw would start in the Adams role against Elche last week. Marc Roca remained as the midfield partner and that relationship has to tick if they are to make it work in the American’s absence.
“First and foremost I get on really well with him (Roca) off the pitch,” said Forshaw. “He’s a great lad, he’s a bubbly character and he’s left-sided, I’m right-sided so it could definitely work.
“We both know the system really well under Jesse. He’s had experience playing in different countries and I’d like to say I’ve got some experience so we could definitely gel.”
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