Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa disappointed with Jack Harrison absence for Man City encounter

04/09/2021

Marcelo Bielsa said it was a blow Jack Harrison is unavailable to face his parent club Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City winger Harrison, in his third season on loan, has recaptured some of his top form in Leeds’ previous two matches.

“We would have hoped to have counted on him,” Bielsa said. “Especially as his last performances have been good, but we knew about the rule that impeded him from playing.

“Like in all the positions we have more than one option and we are in condition to replace him.”

Harrison’s opening goal in last week’s home Yorkshire derby win against Sheffield United was his seventh Premier League goal of the season, while he has registered five assists.

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He currently sits above England pair Mason Mount and Phil Foden in the Premier League’s goals and assists chart.

Bielsa said he was otherwise pleased everyone in his first-team squad, barring Adam Forshaw (hip), was fit and available with eight games left to play this season.

“Yes, we are happy to have no injuries at this moment in time given three-quarters of the season has gone past. This is very good,” he said.

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Leeds have won only once against a top-six side in the Premier League this season – at Leicester in January – and the Argentinian is hoping to improve on this record.

“It’s a reality,” he added. “It’s our objective to modify this.

Pep Guardiola’s City are 14 points clear at the top and need 11 points from their remaining seven games to be crowned champions for the third time in four years.

Leeds are unbeaten in their last three matches and sit 11th as they bid to end their first season back in the Premier League in 16 years in the top half of the table.

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