Bate and Leeds teammate tipped for full Premier League debuts after confirmed news – expert
Danny Mills has suggested Leo Hjelde and Lewis Bate could make their full Premier League debuts when Leeds United host Newcastle United tomorrow (22 January).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Whites and England defender delivered his verdict after Marcelo Bielsa revealed he will likely be without Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo and Adam Forshaw for the game.
As quoted by Leeds Live on Thursday (20 January), Bielsa admitted Bamford had a new injury on the bottom of his foot.
The striker has only made one substitute appearance since the reverse fixture with Newcastle at St. James’ Park in September last year (2021).
Bielsa also confirmed Forshaw and Firpo are struggling with hamstring injuries they picked up during the 3-2 win over West Ham last weekend (16 January).
Hjelde, 18, and Bate, 19, replaced the duo just after 20 minutes although Bate was then substituted off himself for Rodrigo in the second half.
Asked whether they may be set to make their full debuts tomorrow, Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I think they might have to.
“It looks like Patrick Bamford’s not going to make it, it’s a different injury to a previous one so that’s clearly not going to help the situation.
“He’s had a couple of almost comebacks. It’s a difficult one.
“You can do everything right in training but you will always be slightly protective.
“You’re not necessarily going to go flat out in training, that’s human nature.”
Bate and Hjelde have now played twice for the Leeds first team.
They both started the 2-0 loss to West Ham in the FA Cup earlier this month before being introduced off the bench against the same opposition the following week.
In other news, Raphinha has been tipped to reject a Leeds United offer after a Phil Hay update.