Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Thursday, March 10.
Watkins previews Leeds clash
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins is in confident mood ahead of his side's trip to Leeds United tonight.
The 25-year-old is searching for his third goal in three matches after netting in Villa's wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.
He has formed a dangerous-looking partnership with Danny Ings, who have both impressed in recent weeks. The latter scored one and grabbed two assists in the 4-0 success over Saints last time out.
Speaking to VillaTV, Watkins is keen to continue his fine run of form in front of goal when they travel to Elland Road.
He said: "I’m in a really good place. I feel much better after scoring a couple of goals. I want to keep scoring and creating goals and bringing the best version of myself to the team.
"It helps when you enjoy it, and I’m loving it at the moment.
"We’ve come out the other side of being where Leeds are and now we need to look up and find some consistency.
"It’s the perfect game to go into. We’ve got to keep trying to push on and get as many wins as possible."
Full Leeds squad revealed vs Villa
Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch provided some clarity on his injured and available players during Wednesday's pre-match press conference.
The American began his briefing with journalists by setting the record straight on Tyler Roberts' selfless decision to play on despite sustaining a hamstring rupture during Leeds' 1-0 defeat to Leicester City last weekend.
23-year-old Roberts underwent successful surgery earlier this week but will now be sidelined for three-to-four months.
Roberts was Marsch's third sub of the afternoon last Saturday, but picked up the injury minutes into his involvement, meaning Leeds would have been left with ten men for the closing stages had he decided to come off.
Needless to say, he will not be included in Marsch's 20-man selection tonight.
Three players who will be available, though, are Patrick Bamford, Diego Llorente and Adam Forshaw.
England striker Bamford is in line to feature from the substitutes' bench, says Marsch.
"Patrick will play for sure. Tomorrow, he won't start but he will be ready from the bench. And we're excited to have him back in the team"
Read more here.
Rodrigo issues rallying cry
Rodrigo took to Instagram on Wednesday afternoon to issue a rallying cry to Leeds United fans ahead of perhaps the most crucial few days in the club's season.
The Whites find themselves in 16th place, just two points ahead of Burnley in 18th place, but the Lancashire side have games in hand over Jesse Marsch's side. This makes picking up points vital for Leeds and they now come into a period of four days where they face both Aston Villa and Norwich City at Elland Road, knowing they have an opportunity they must not miss.
Last Saturday they put on an improved performance under Marsch but fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat, after Kasper Schmeichel won man-of-the-match for keeping the Whites at bay, whilst Harvey Barnes took the only Leicester chance of note.
Rodrigo's rallying cry acknowledged that the players know they need to fight for points now though, as he shared a picture of the post-game huddle which Marsch organised. He called on the fans to help the players respond, writing: "The legend of Leeds United Football Club in almost 103 years of history is the sum of hundreds of players and dozens of managers, but where really lies our greatness is in the power of our fans and the city that we proudly represent in a football pitch.
"This is our responsibility. We always have you in mind and we will deliver our best. No doubts and no excuses. We need Elland Road. MOT ALAW."
