Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa is set to be handed a boost ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash against Wolves, according to Phil Hay, who claimed that Pablo Hernandez is close to a return to full fitness.
The Yorkshire club have started the Premier League season well, bouncing back after a narrow opening day defeat to Liverpool with two wins and a 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Missing from the latter three games has been £1.08m-valued playmaker Hernandez, who has proven to be a vital performer for Marcelo Bielsa’s side over the last few seasons, contributing with nine goals and nine assists in his 36 games last season to help the Whites gain promotion.
Once hailed as ‘unreal‘ by Hay, Leeds fans and Bielsa will undoubtedly be keen to see what the Spaniard can produce in the top flight
Is Pablo Hernandez fit to face Wolves?
Suffering an injury in the warm-up prior to the game against Fulham last month, Hernandez is now said to be available to face Wolves next Monday evening. The Athletic journalist Hay provided a short update via LeedsAllOver on the former Valencia and Swansea City man’s fitness, revealing he was now back in full training.
Hay also gave updates on defensive duo Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper, stating that the former will face up to three weeks out of action after injuring himself on international duty with Spain and that the latter will undergo fitness tests on Monday morning.
How much of an impact can Pablo Hernandez have in the Premier League at 35?
If last season is anything to go by, Hernandez could thrive at this level. One could argue that the Premier League will provide a much tougher and different test to the Championship but for a player of 35 to produce the figures he did last term shows that his form is certainly not waning yet.
The Spaniard will ultimately know that he has little left in the tank in terms of playing at the very highest level, meaning this season could prove to be the last that he has to cement his legacy at Elland Road.
Whether or not Hernandez starts against Wolves on Monday night, even his availability should provide a real lift for Bielsa and Leeds.
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