Leeds United have been handed a timely injury boost heading into this afternoon's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

Marcelo Bielsa's side welcome the Magpies to Elland Road for a crucial encounter, with both teams sitting in the bottom half of the table.

The Yorkshiremen can extend their gap to the drop zone with a second successive victory, whilst Eddie Howe's men can climb out of the bottom three with just their second win of the season.

According to The Athletic's ever-reliable Phil Hay, the Argentinian head coach is expected to welcome back young striker Joe Gelhardt following injury, having missed the two games against West Ham.

Leeds defeated the Irons the second time around but there was serious cause for concern as Bielsa could only name one senior first-team player among nine substitutes on his bench.

Gelhardt is now considered a first-team star after his breakthrough this season and in the absence of Patrick Bamford, he must be unleashed from the off today.

As per Transfermarkt, the 19-year-old sensation has delivered one goal and three assists from his seven top-flight appearances,  in which just two have been starts.

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In just eight minutes against Chelsea, the youngster showed he was ready to be involved more regularly as the Champions of Europe struggled to track his runs into the box. He bagged on debut after just 42 seconds.

He has already become a favourite amongst the dressing room, fan base and with Bielsa, as per The Athletic, as well as Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, who said back in November: "He’s like a human wrecking ball. I like him, he’s really exciting. He’s fast, he’s aggressive, he gets on the ball, he takes people on. Once he gets into the box, he loves it. That’s where he can do most of his damage."

Bamford, for whom Gelhardt should cover this weekend, even believes there are comparisons to be made to Wayne Rooney, saying: "He is the same kind of build as Rooney was. A stocky lad, great finisher."

Without the England international, Bielsa has regularly deployed Daniel James as a striker, and that's an experiment which just doesn't work. He's too small and lightweight to cause damage in the middle, so it's time to unleash the teenage gem today.

Gelhardt could really cause the struggling Magpies some damage, should Bielsa start him at Elland Road this afternoon.

AND in other news, Phil Hay reveals early team news ahead of Newcastle clash...