Blackman set for first Leeds United outing at Oxford
Blackman has been named in a young squad chosen by head coach Marcelo Bielsa after missing United’s first three pre-season games.
Bielsa held the 24-year-old back last week to work on his conditioning but Blackman will begin staking his claim for the number one jersey against League One opposition at the Kassam Stadium tonight.
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Hide AdLeeds brought him in from Chelsea with the intention of installing him as first choice ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell but Blackman has been on the sidelines since completing his move eight days ago.
United’s other new signing, Lewis Baker, is also in a 15-man group dominated by Under-23 players.
Most of Bielsa’s senior professionals have featured in matches against Forest Green Rovers and Southend United and tonight’s team is similar to the line-up fielded at York City last week.
Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich and Yosuke Ideguchi are all involved while Tyler Roberts has travelled again after ending his long injury battle with a 28-minute outing in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southend.
Leeds United squad v Oxford United: Blackman, Huffer, Roberts, Ideguchi, Vieira, Baker, Dalby, Klich, Diaz, Pearce, Clarke, Rey, Edmondson, Shackleton, Stevens.