Marcelo Bielsa has spoken with the media ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to face Aston Villa, a game which is live on BT Sport for supporters not able to attend. 

Both teams have been without a league game since January 22nd due to the international break and FA Cup, so will now be aiming for a positive return to Premier League action. 

Speaking ahead of the match, Bielsa gave an update on the fitness of his side.

He said: “Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are in the final stages of their recovery from their operations. 

“Junior Firpo is in the final stages of his recovery, he will be available next weekend or the following one. 

“Patrick Bamford has not improved. He continues with the problems at the bottom of his foot and he has not started jogging, so his situation continues the same way. 

“Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw and Charlie Cresswell are all healthy now.” 

Leeds United’s head coach was then asked about the prospect of facing Wednesday’s hosts, specifically after the change in manager to Steven Gerrard and the recent arrival of Philippe Coutinho. 

“In Scotland, he [Gerrard] had a brilliant step,” Bielsa stated. 

“What he has managed this far at Aston Villa is good because he has put his stamp on the team very quickly.

“Coutinho is a player with prestige, the past speaks for itself.

"He’s playing in a premier league team at Aston Villa who is a team in growth and he is back in the Brazilian international team.”