LIONS READY TO REBUILD MASON
Bielsa warns Leeds striker: Keep scoring if you want to be my No.1
vChampionship: 3pm
MARCELO BIELSA has told striker Patrick Bamford he is Leeds’ No.1 striker – for now.
The 12-goal front man, who scored twice in Tuesday’s comeback win over Millwall, is now under pressure following the loan deal for Jean-Kevin Augustin (right).
The French star arrived from RB Leipzig this week because Bielsa wants Leeds to be more ruthless in front of goal.
Bielsa is a big Bamford fan, but has hinted in the past he needs to take more of his chances.
Augustin is backing himself to score at the table-toppers, but the Argentinian revealed he will be slowly integrated into the team – and only then could he be a starter. Leeds look to retain their place at the summit against struggling Wigan today and boss Bielsa (below) said: “The two strikers can play together. What I cannot say is if this will happen. “In the window if we hadn’t got important players who look very good substitutions, we can continue with the players we have. “But Augustin improves the group. We don’t know how long the adaptation process will be. Another thing is to move the starting No.9.
“For one player to play, he needs to move a player who is playing. All this is a process. We don’t know how this process will be for players three days at the club. Those processes are long because our play requires coordination in a way that is important for us.
“Time to adapt to the collective coordinations, but finally he could play in the first team as a starter, moving Patrick to the bench.”
Bielsa called for a barnstorming finish to the campaign after Leeds put a poor run of games behind them to beat Millwall 3-2.
He added: “We all know the most important thing is how we finish the competition. Every point we get is a step nearer our objective.
“It’s not time to be satisfied. The bad moments of the team makes the supporters who evaluate our work sad.”
Championship: 3pm
GARY ROWETT hopes Millwall can play a part in Mason Bennett’s rehabilitation.
The forward has joined on loan from Derby as he looks to relaunch his career following the drink-drive shame that rocked the Rams in October.
Bennett, 23, could make his Millwall debut today and Lions boss Rowett insists he deserves a second chance.
He said: “He accepts he has made mistakes. It is not something I or the club would condone. But we are a club which picks people up and rehabilitates them.”