Marcelo Bielsa has been unable to confirm when Adam Forshaw will return for Leeds United, with the midfielder continuing to struggle with a hip problem.

Leeds have been without Forshaw since the defeat to Charlton Athletic in September, with the midfielder aggravating a problem after appearing in the second-half at The Valley.

Forshaw had started the season in Bielsa’s midfield, with the 28-year-old making six starts and registering one assist prior to the meeting with Charlton.

Yesterday, Bielsa previewed Saturday’s meeting with Middlesbrough, but was unable to offer a return date for his midfielder.

“He is not available yet and I cannot say when he is going to be healthy,” the 64-year-old stated, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“It's a process where we check him daily and weekly - the medical staff and at the moment we don't have more information about him.”

Despite the absence of Forshaw, Leeds have gone from strength-to-strength in the Championship recently, losing only once since the Charlton defeat.

Bielsa’s side find themselves on a seven game unbeaten run, which includes four consecutive wins.

The last of those wins came at Reading on Tuesday, when Jack Harrison’s 87^th minute header wrapped up the points.

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The Verdict

The situation surrounding Forshaw is an annoying one; for the player and for Leeds.

In terms of Forshaw, he was firmly in Bielsa’s plans in terms of the starting XI and was finding some good form with Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips. That makes this even more frustrating.

For Leeds, they are without an experienced midfielder heading into Christmas, which is notoriously a period that shapes the promotion race.

Getting Forshaw back is vital.

Thoughts? Let us know!