Samu Saiz could start for Leeds against managerless Forest

Posted Sunday, December 31, 2017 by PA

Samu Saiz is expected to return to Leeds' starting line-up against Nottingham Forest.

The Spanish playmaker was not risked from the start as the Whites slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham on Saturday, having struggled with a calf problem, but he came on to good effect and is likely to regain his place.

Ronaldo Vieira missed the game at St Andrew's after sustaining a knock against Burton and he will be assessed.

Boss Thomas Christiansen will hope to have Eunan O'Kane back in his squad after he also missed the trip to the Midlands.

Nottingham Forest caretaker manager Gary Brazil could bring Liam Bridcutt back into his side for the trip to the midfielder's former club.

Brazil will take charge after Mark Warburton was sacked on New Year's Eve after nine months at the helm, and could make changes after Saturday's defeat.

It is thought Bridcutt was absent from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Sunderland as he is one yellow card away from a second suspension of the season.

David Vaughan replaced him against the Black Cats after returning from a knock and will hope to be involved once again, while Daryl Murphy also came back into the Reds line-up at the weekend and could keep his place.