No Jean-Kevin Augustin decision as five Leeds United players sign up to season's end

Five Leeds United players have all signed short-term agreements to complete 2019-20 football season, but there remains uncertainty about Jean-Kevin Augustin.
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Ahead of Sunday's trip to Cardiff City, the Whites have announced a contract extension for Gaetano Berardi, while loanees Jack Harrison, Illan Meslier, Ben White and Helder Costa are to extend their loans until the end of the season. Augustin's name was notable by his absence in the announcement.

Augustin joined from RB Leipzig in January in the hope he could solve their problems up front, but Marcelo Bielsa revealed on Thursday he is still following an individual training programme with the resumption approaching.

STAYING: Loanees Jack Harrison (left) and Helder Costsa (right)STAYING: Loanees Jack Harrison (left) and Helder Costsa (right)
STAYING: Loanees Jack Harrison (left) and Helder Costsa (right)
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“Augustin has not been injured since April, but he is doing individual work,” he explained. “We think it is necessary he does this.”

Despite reservations on the terraces Bielsa is a big fan of Patrick Bamford, but he is the club's only senior specialist centre-forward, which is a concern with nine matches to be played by July 22. That said, Tyler Roberts showed he can play there coming off the bench to score twice late in the club's last away match, at Hull City in February. The Welsh midfielder has had a patchy fitness record at Elland Road.

Arsenal recalled Eddie Nketiah from his loan in January and when Leeds failed to sign the replacement with Championship experience they hoped for, they turned instead to Augustin, highly-rated in his early days but yet to fulfil his potential. Like Nketiah, he was struggling to persuade Bielsa he could play the all-round game Bamford can, and was struggling with his fitness before the lockdown.

Harrison White and Costa, by contrast, have been key figures this season, and their staying is a huge boost. The same is true of Meslier, who had fitted in well after first-choice Kiko Casilla received an eight-match ban for alleged racist abuse. It would be a surprise if the Frenchman did not keep the shirt for the rest of the season.

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Berardi was the only senior player out of contract this summer and while he is not a first-choice, Bielsa trusts him as a stand-in defender.

Leeds have until June 23 to make a decision on Augustin, who will available until 30th even if they or he decides against a longer stay.

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