Leeds United set for Pablo Hernandez boost ahead of Fulham's visit

Midfielder Forshaw is not due to return from hip surgery until next season, while coach Marcelo Bielsa was non-committal when asked if on-loan striker Augustin could be in shape to meet his physically-demanding style of play during the run-in.

But the return of Hernandez's creativity would be a boost, and with Tyler Roberts also fit despite looking uncomfortable late in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City, Bielsa could have a welcome decision to make. No definitive decision has been made yet, but the signs are good.

“Pablo has trained with us all week, (on Friday) we will finish the work with him,” confirmed Bielsa after the Spaniard missed the trip to Wales. “According to how he feels he's going to be involved or not in the match on Saturday.

“It wasn't a big deal, he had a little muscular problem and recovered in 10 days. The short recovery period pointed to the problem not being serious.

“But Pablo knows very well his own body. We want to wait until Friday so he can confirm to us how he feels.”

Roberts deputised for Hernandez in midfield, but could also offer respite from the bench for Bielsa's first-choice centre-forward Patrick Bamford, especially if January loan signing Augustin cannot.

“He is well, without problems,” said Bielsa of Roberts.

“Everyone is healthy, the only the situation we had was Pablo and of course Forshaw.”

Augustin was not in the 20-man squad for Leeds' first game back after the coronavirus. Since joining on loan from Leipzig in late January, he has only been in four matchday squads, playing 48 minutes. Last week, Bielsa revealed the forward was following an individual training programme.

A Leeds signing taking time to adapt to Bielsa's requirements is not unusual. Winger Ian Poveda, who joined on loan from Manchester City at the same time, only made his debut last weekend.

“We are following what he is doing,” said Bielsa of 23-year-old Augustin. “After, we evaluate what he is doing. After that, we make a decision (on whether he can play again this season).”

Augustin's loan expires on Tuesday. Although Football League clubs had until June 23 to extend playing contracts due to expire at the end of the month, they can work right up to the last minute to extend loans if needed.

Poveda, Helder Costa, Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier and Ben White's loans have already been extended until the end of the campaign.

Seven points behind, Fulham are the nearest of the Championship teams chasing Leeds, although Brentford could take that mantle by avoiding defeat at West Bromwich Albion. A win for the Bees would be the best result for Leeds' promotion hopes, a win for West Brom best for their automatic promotion chances.

Either way, a home win at Elland Road on Saturday would make it very difficult for Fulham to catch Leeds in the seven remaining games.

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