Marcelo Bielsa has given a fitness update on his Leeds United side ahead of their clash with Everton and has hit out at the lack of recovery time given to his team.
Leeds were involved in a helter-skelter 3-3 draw with Aston Villa on Wednesday night to put themselves four points ahead of the Blues, having played a game more.
Everton will be looking to respond after their dismal defeat to Newcastle United in midweek, with the Goodison Park crowd sure to play a key role for Frank Lampard’s side.
The Blues have received a further boost after Leeds boss Bielsa confirmed he would still be without four key players for the trip to Merseyside.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard has already stamped his mark on Everton but next step is clear
READ MORE: Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek are about to feel never before pressure with Everton
Leeds have been missing their captain Liam Cooper, England midfielder Kalvin Phillips and focal striker Patrick Bamford since December.
While left-back Junior Firpo, signed from Barcelona last summer, has been sidelined for the club’s last two games.
Asked if there were any further absences to his squad, Bielsa said : “No. Phillips, Cooper, Firpo and Bamford like in the game against Aston Villa won't be considered for the game against Everton.”
However, Bielsa was critical of his side’s fixture list given the limited time between their game on Wednesday night and Saturday’s 3pm kick-off - with Everton having had an extra day’s rest.
“No, there's no time for preparation but there's also no time for adequate recovery,” the Leeds boss said.
“The games are scheduled clearly ignoring that aspect, with the commercial aspects and the commitments due to the sales of the games.
“They make their decisions exclusively dependent on that and all of the aspects that make the competition fair for all of those that contain it are not beared in mind.
“The teams are facing each other in different conditions and the games are planned without the possibility of rest and ignoring potential injuries. But that's the same for everybody. There are aspects that increase the difficulty and complexity.
“There are also aspects which can be resolved in a better way than the one chosen, but the compromises that should be made for the spectacle of the game and for the fairness of the competition are a second thought.”
