With a fresh update on Pablo Hernandez’s fitness, Helder Costa will be seeing his recent first team run as a hugely missed opportunity.

When Leeds made the signing of Helder Costa in the summer, many saw it as the creative burden being lifted off of Pablo Hernandez’s shoulders. However, since the Spaniard's injury setback has kept him sidelined for Leeds’ previous three matches, Helder Costa has stepped in while Leeds have won once in between two losses.

While Costa has shown glimpses of what he can do at this level, there has been a big frustration with his performances and lack of cutting edge in his play, something all too familiar at the moment for the Whites.

This term, Costa has made 11 Championship appearances (eight from the bench) and only registered one assist, in the 1-0 win over Brentford. While he has added a goal and two assists in Leeds’ Carabao Cup ties, this won’t be enough to earn a  starting place ahead of one of the Championship’s top creators in Hernandez.

The Portuguese international has started Leeds’ last three games and while there were signs that Leeds are starting to see the player they have agreed to pay £15million for, it is only coming in short bursts, such as beating a full-back or driving Leeds up the pitch on a counter-attack. 

What needs to be seen to justify himself as a guaranteed starter is a cutting edge. Costa has shown in the past that he has the ability to be one of the best at this level. His debut season at Wolves being proof of this, with 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. 

While that was a stand-out season for Costa and hopefully the start of something special in England, it hasn’t materialised yet with Costa suffering from a confidence issue before arriving at Leeds. Upon arrival, Costa had a fresh start to hit the ground running again and show his doubters what he is capable of at full-tilt. With a lot of football still to be played this season and an international break to knuckle down and get up to his full potential, there is still a massive chance he will be key to Leeds’ promotion push.

The Millwall game added to the disappointment surrounding Costa as he was hauled off at half-time in an attempt from Bielsa to gain control of a match in danger of running away from them, where Bielsa explained, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post: "After the first half I took some decisions that improved the structure and organisation of the team but I should have taken those decisions in the first half.”

 While the circumstances of being a man down were controversial, it’s another example of an opportunity missed with Costa been the preferred sacrifice over Jack Harrison. 

If Costa is to truly stake a meaningful claim for a starting role over the likes of Hernandez and Harrison, performances need to go to another level and consistently, otherwise Hernandez’s injury opening the door for him was a waste. Having to settle for 30 minute cameos every game is not what Costa will want and maybe some regret for missing his chance might spur him into life - only time will tell.