Injury narrative has been monopolised by Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips this week after those Leeds United pictures, but there is one recovery going under the radar for the next match.
Adam Forshaw thinks he has a very good chance of returning for the Aston Villa game next week and his availability will prompt some interesting questions for Marcelo Bielsa.
Before the midfielder limped off with a hamstring complaint in the West Ham United win, Forshaw had caught the eye in a more offensive role.
Playing as the de facto box-to-box midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 system Bielsa deploys, Forshaw got forward and beyond the last man on multiple occasions, providing a crucial link in those cutting moves which began the match so well for Leeds.
Assuming Wednesday comes too soon for Phillips, Robin Koch looks likely to continue as the side’s defensive midfielder.
Based on his impressive turn before injury in the capital, Forshaw looks a sensible bet for a berth in central midfield.
Whether it’s Mateusz Klich or Rodrigo who make way will have a knock-on effect in the line-up.
The Daniel James experiment has produced mixed results in attack. Most recently, he played a crucial role in a menacing front three in the West Ham win, but then struggled to show that killer instinct in the Newcastle United loss.
Whether Bielsa sticks with James there or moves Rodrigo forward into the role he was bought to play in, will be intriguing.
Injuries and Covid have each played a part in denying Rodrigo a decent run of games at Elland Road or the chance to find his groove and show his quality.
There have been pros and cons for Rodrigo in each of the striker and central attacking midfielder positions, but with Leeds crying out for a finisher in that Newcastle loss, the Spaniard has to be an option Bielsa looks at.
Rodrigo was a number nine for Valencia and Spain when he was bought for a record transfer fee. If Forshaw returns and he is under threat he will be looking at that role as his.
Then there’s the small matter of Joe Gelhardt, who has arguably proved himself to be the most instinctive finisher at the club behind Patrick Bamford.
Would Bielsa shake up his traditional pecking order and plump for the teenager?
