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Opinion: Junior Firpo return is now a huge boost for Leeds

Junior Firpo kicked off his spell at Leeds United with a torrid 45-minute appearance on the opening day of the Premier League season in which Marcelo Bielsa’s side conceded four goals.

Signing Firpo in the summer appeared to be a real coup for Leeds. He arrived from Barcelona at a time when the Whites desperately needed a left-back. And it said a lot that the only player standing between him and more opportunities for Barca was Jordi Alba.

Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Angus Kinnear meanwhile, told The Square Ball that he was a ‘‘ player.

Unfortunately, the difficult day against Manchester United proved to be a sign of what was initially to come for the defender.

He struggled for several weeks, with an own goal against West Ham encapsulating just how tough he found the going at Elland Road.

Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images

Fast forward several months, and Leeds are now preparing to face their bitter rivals once again at a time when Bielsa’s men desperately need a positive result.

Last time out, they were beaten 3-0 at Everton on a day when everything went wrong.

And injury was added to insult at Goodison Park as Stuart Dallas had to come off during the first-half.

Presumably, Dallas will now be a doubt to face Ralf Rangnick’s men.

But thankfully, Firpo looks set to hand Leeds the massive boost they may well need before Sunday.

Expected Firpo return comes at perfect time for Leeds

Dallas had spent the previous three games filling in for Firpo, who had been sidelined with injury. It was a cruel blow for the 25-year-old as he appeared to be turning his fortunes around.

Bielsa suggested that he was getting better in each game. And the fans started to see that themselves around the turn of the year.

He was easily playing the best football of his spell. And it seemed that there was plenty more to come.

Bielsa that Firpo would miss out. However, he added that he is expected to be ready to face Manchester United.

That return is now desperately needed with Dallas potentially sidelined.

And for Firpo, the game may provide the perfect stage to prove a real point after his nightmare debut and initial struggles.

Leeds may have lost another of their most important members of the squad. But perhaps a world-class player will be unleashed in his place.