Bielsa laments key man Harrison’s absence ahead Man City clash

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted that it’s a blow Jack Harrison is unavailable to face his parent club Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City winger Harrison, in his third season on loan, has recaptured some of his top form in Leeds’ previous two matches.

Harrison’s opening goal in last week’s home Yorkshire derby win against Sheffield United was his seventh Premier League goal of the season, while he has registered five assists.

He currently sits above England pair Mason Mount and Phil Foden in the Premier League’s goals and assists chart.

“We would have hoped to have counted on him,” Bielsa said. “Especially as his last performances have been good, but we knew about the rule that impeded him from playing.

“Like in all the positions we have more than one option and we are in condition to replace him.”

Bielsa said he was otherwise pleased everyone in his first-team squad, barring Adam Forshaw, was fit and available.

“Yes, we are happy to have no injuries at this moment in time given three-quarters of the season has gone past. This is very good,” he said.

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Leeds have won only once against a top-six side in the Premier League this season – at Leicester in January. With that in mind, the Argentinian is hoping to improve on this record.

“It’s a reality,” he added. “It’s our objective to modify this.

“There’s a lot of teams in a similar position to us who have been able to beat the top six. That’s to say it’s possible and we haven’t managed to achieve it yet.”