Three players are at the centre of Jesse Marsch’s thoughts as Leeds United contend with 53 fewer hours to prepare than Newcastle United for their New Year’s Eve clash. While the form table-toppers began recovering for Saturday at 5pm on Monday, the Whites could not begin their build-up until 10pm on Wednesday.
With that handicap in mind, Marsch raised the point Saturday’s match will bring together the two most intense teams in the Premier League. Tyler Adams is one change Marsch certainly makes after the American’s suspension, though there are two others he mentioned twice after the Manchester City loss.
“That (facing a team as intense as Newcastle) will be a big demand, physically for us,” he said. “Now we get Tyler Adams back, which will be a major boost for us.
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch's private Joe Gelhardt talks as Leeds United forward catches the eye
“Hopefully, [Crysencio] Summerville and [Jack] Harrison as well and then we can look to push that game still, physically, the way we want.”
Summerville and Harrison were among the substitutes at Elland Road on Wednesday evening. They watched as the champions ran away with a 3-1 win, but remained unused by Marsch.
Ordinarily, that pair has become used to starting games for Marsch and yet the head coach did not turn to them when he needed to turn the match around. As important as City was, the Leeds boss had to admit he had one eye on Newcastle and the tight turnaround.
“We came out of it okay [injuries-wise],” said Marsch. “Some of the decisions we made were to protect guys a little bit, to make sure, with a quick turnaround in a busy couple of weeks, we can turn around quickly.
“Cree (Summerville), we just felt like we didn't want to push because we wanted to not risk him and the same with Jack Harrison.”
Rasmus Kristensen, Liam Cooper, Adam Forshaw, Rodrigo and Brenden Aaronson were all taken off before the end of Wednesday’s loss too. The importance of those players underlines the need to give them as much time as possible to regenerate before they travel to St James’ Park.
One player given a complete breather on Wednesday was Patrick Bamford, who continues to recover from surgery and illness. The striker will not be on Tyneside with his teammates on Saturday either.
Marsch’s latest prediction has the number nine training from Sunday or Monday onwards.
READ NEXT:
38-year top-flight record Leeds United set to match highlights clear need for improvement
Leeds United injury list in full as wide duo set to come into contention to start at Newcastle
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe outlines Leeds United attribute his side will be wary of
Jesse Marsch praised for Rodrigo's Leeds United resurgence after tactical switch
Chris Wood entrusted to lead the Newcastle United line against Leeds United
