With the Premier League set to introduce five substitutions from next season, the new rule could have a major impact on Leeds United should the Whites stay in the division. Jesse Marsch's side currently sit eight points clear of the relegation zone following Saturday's 1-1 draw against Southampton and are now set to be part of the 2022/23 top-flight campaign.
In a statement on Thursday, the Premier League said: "The Premier League Shareholders met today and discussed a range of matters. Clubs agreed to change the rules relating to substitute players.
"From next season, clubs will be permitted to use five substitutions, to be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time. A total of nine substitutes can be named on the team sheet."
It has been suggested that this rule will only benefit the so-called top-six who generally have bigger squads and better players on the bench. However, Leeds could use it to their advantage as they continue to blood through youngsters and we have taken a look at three players who could get more game time with the Whites able to make five changes during the game.
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Leo Hjelde
Having made his Leeds debut in the FA Cup third round at West Ham United back in January, Hjelde has found his first-team game time limited since. The 18-year-old started the defeat at the London Stadium and impressed with some crucial interceptions and blocks. He also had to come on in the league game against the same opposition a week later, playing 67 minutes in a 3-2 win for the Whites.
The returns of Charlie Cresswell, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk from injury has hampered Hjelde's minutes and he has made just one appearance following the second game against West Ham. That came in the dismal 3-0 defeat at Everton, where he had to come on for Stuart Dallas mid-way through the first-half.
But Hjelde could feature more next season as Marsch has the opportunity to make an extra two substitutions during the game. Usually, unless there is an injury, managers decide against making a defensive change and often put on an attacking player.
This could allow the American to put on another centre-back to freshen up the back-line if there is a hectic fixture schedule or someone has picked up a knock along the way. Hjelde may benefit from the change as he continues to develop into a promising young defender.
Lewis Bate
Similarly to Hjelde, Bate hasn't been able to have as much first-team game time as other academy players this season. The 19-year-old has played a total of 88 minutes for the Whites - featuring in both away matches at West Ham.
Bate had an impact in the two games, slotting in nicely in the middle of the park alongside Mateusz Klich and Robin Koch. He has also been a mainstay in the Under 23s side throughout the campaign, making 19 appearances, scoring once and grabbing one assist.
A deep-lying playmaker, Bate is suited as more of a defensive midfielder but can also feature in the box-to-box role. He has demonstrated his versatility all season with both club and country, as he has had to step into a number of positions for England's Under 20s.
This could really give him an advantage if he is promoted into the senior squad on a regular basis next term, given that Marsch can make more than three changes. It doesn't particularly matter whether Leeds are winning or chasing a game as Bate has the ability to adapt and influence in more than one way.
Stuart McKinstry
A talented winger, McKinstry made his Premier League debut back in November as a late substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. Although the 19-year-old wasn't given much time to make an impact, it proved to be a memorable afternoon for him personally and one he can remember for the rest of his career.
But the Scotland youth international hasn't had any first-team minutes since and has been named on the bench just four times. This is considerably less compared to his team-mates - with the likes of Sam Greenwood, Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt all firmly in the senior picture.
McKinstry's form for the Under 23s will surely get him back in contention sometime soon, though, with the midfielder scoring in the 3-0 win over Manchester United last month. He was named as the Man of the Match on the day as his side romped to a comfortable victory.
As Leeds will be able to have nine players on the bench, McKinstry could well find himself on the bench more often next season, giving him the chance to be on the pitch more. With the ability to play on the left and the right flank, his versatility may come in handy if one of Jack Harrison or Daniel James are injured, for example.
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