Gaetano Berardi is expected to start for Leeds United’s U23 side when they face Southampton in the Premier League Cup this evening.

The 30-year-old Swiss defender has not played for the first team since in three months having suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Ipswich Town on October 24th.

A return from injury steps up a notch this evening with a potential start for the development side ahead of this weekend’s local derby against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.

And according to the Leeds official site, manager Marcelo Bielsa issued comments on Berardi being available for this evening’s fixture and the probability of the Switzerland man starting.

Berardi had been one of the Whites’ more impressive players this term in his eight appearances before injury curtailed his progression at Elland Road.

The club sit top of the Championship table after 27 matches, and it will be a massive boost to the club to have the defender back to select from when he is deemed fully fit for first-team action.

The verdict

This is a big boost for Leeds considering their recent injury issues.

Having Berardi back in contention to be involved this weekend and beyond, it gives Bielsa another option to choose from.

The Championship leaders have lost three of their last four matches and could do with his imminent return with Norwich City, the next visitors to Elland Road in what is going to be one of the games of the season.

Leeds’ injury worries should be easing now, and they will soon be back to full strength, and Berardi gives them cover in a position that desperately needs it.