Paul Heckingbottom is hoping to welcome Samuel Saiz back from injury following the international break, after the Leeds United playmaker was forced to sit out of Saturday’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday due to a hamstring injury.  

The Leeds boss revealed to the Yorkshire Evening Post that Saiz has a small tear to his hamstring, which forced him to miss Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Elland Road, however, with Leeds now not back in action until the end of the month due to the international break, Heckingbottom is hoping the 27-year-old can return against Bolton Wanderers on Good Friday.

The attacking midfielder has made a strong impact at Elland Road this season, bagging nine goals and six assists across all competitions, with Heckingbottom’s side clearly missing Saiz’s creativity on Saturday afternoon as they struggled to break Sheffield Wednesday down.

In Saiz’s absence, Leeds were defeated 2-1 by the Owls, who had Atdhe Nuhiu to thank, with the towering striker netting goals either side of Jay-Roy Grot’s first senior goal in English football.

That defeat was Leeds’ third in four games, with the Whites having just one victory to their name in 2018, which has left them staring at another mid-table finish in the Championship.

There are eight games of the Championship season remaining, beginning with Leeds’ clash with Bolton on Good Friday.

The Verdict

Saiz’s absence on Saturday afternoon was a huge blow, with Leeds clearly missing his impact in the final third of the pitch.

Heckingbottom will have been impressed by the effort of Pablo Hernandez and Ezgjan Alioski, however, that duo missed Saiz, who has been Leeds’ creative cog throughout the season.

The Whites need the Spanish playmaker back as soon as possible, as they look to end a disappointing season on a positive note.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!