Leeds United tipped for ‘clever’ reshuffle after Junior Firpo news – Whelan
Noel Whelan has backed Pascal Struijk to move to left-back for Leeds United in the absence of Junior Firpo tonight against Aston Villa.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 22-year-old is “more than capable” of playing the role.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday (7 February) and quoted by Leeds Live, manager Marcelo Bielsa revealed Firpo is in the “final stage of his recovery” but admitted the Aston Villa clash has come too soon.
Stuart Dallas appeared in the left-back role last time out as the Whites were defeated 1-0 by Newcastle last month (22 January).
However, Whelan suggested the 30-year-old’s “energy” is crucial to making Leeds United tick in midfield.
“I think there’s a real case for Pascal Struijk moving over to left-back,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“We’ve got to be wary about having height in our defence, and he would bring that. It would be a clever little advantage we could have when attacking and defending set-pieces.
“He’s shown that he’s more than capable of playing in that role in the absence of Junior Firpo. That would then give us that boost of energy in midfield through Stuart Dallas.
“We know that Dallas is best in midfield, so I think it would make the most sense to go with Struijk for this game and then Firpo can hopefully return at the weekend.”
Leeds United have the opportunity to move nine points clear of relegation danger with a win tonight.
The versatile Strujk has played four times at left-back this term, in addition to three appearances in defensive midfield and 10 games in his natural centre-back berth.
In other news, pundit predicts Leeds United star may have to undergo surgery after injury latest.