Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has revealed that teenage striker Joe Gelhardt should be available to play in Saturday's Premier League clash against Watford at Vicarage Road.
The 19-year-old was withdrawn in the first half of Monday night's Under-23s victory against Crystal Palace with a minor leg injury, and he has since missed a few training sessions.
However, Marsch has confirmed that Gelhardt is set to be available for selection this weekend, and with Patrick Bamford ruled out for up to six weeks, the youngster could be handed just his third Premier League start of the season.
"[Gelhardt] hasn't trained every day this week but we think he'll train tomorrow and be available for the weekend," Marsch said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
"With him, it's been so unfortunate, a back problem, a false Covid, this injury. We can second guess ourselves about players playing in the 23s if they're needed for the first team but they need minutes, they need to put our style of play into practise and it was really important for him to play in this [Under-23s] match for us."
Marsch has also provided a positive update on injured trio Bamford (foot), Tyler Roberts (hamstring), Junior Firpo (knee), who have all began their respective rehabilitation programs, while Jamie Shackleton (calf) is closing in on a return to training.
"Tyler, Junior and Patrick are all making good progress and Jamie Shackleton is almost ready to train but not quite. I think all of the rest of the players are ready to go," the American added.
Marsch has recently been able to welcome back captain Liam Cooper and star midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who have both recovered from hamstring injuries, and the pair are set to be involved on Saturday, with the latter hoping to making his first start for the Whites since December last year.
Leeds currently sit 16th in the Premier League table and they could move nine points clear of the relegation zone with a victory away against Watford.
Oliver Thomas
