Leeds United could be handed a significant boost this weekend with the potential return of Pontus Jansson to the team ahead of the visit of Millwall.

The Swedish defender ended the defeat to Sheffield United last time out in goal after the sending off of goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

This was after the 28-year-old had picked up a knee injury in the closing stages of the match.

Having used all three substitutes, Marcelo Bielsa was forced to move the popular Elland Road star up front and out of the way.

It looked as if he would be out for a prolonged period of time, but as the Yorkshire Evening Post has reported, Jansson is in contention to make a shock return to the starting XI this weekend, two weeks ahead of schedule.

And the defender will be eager to get back on the pitch and pick up where he has left off this season.

Despite possible worry and hesitancy from Bielsa to include him so soon after the injury, the 28-year-old will be keen retain his place and go again this weekend.

When Millwall come to Elland Road, it is always a powder-keg atmosphere, and after last year’s 4-3 defeat, the defender will want to avenge the loss.

He would have worked so hard with this game in his mind.

And that will be down to the fact if he misses out and any potential replacement comes in and performs well, he could miss out for the rest of the season.

Now is the time where form counts and a few weeks out could see his place in the team come under threat.

The fear of missing out for Jansson is real, and he will do all he can to play and perform to his best against Millwall in order to ward off competition for his place in the side ahead of the final seven games after this.

It is an exciting time and missing a game is not an option for Jansson who knows his body and his limits.

If he says he is fit and ready to go, he will need Bielsa to unleash him on Millwall this weekend to further impact their promotion hopes heading into the run-in.