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Leeds news: Thomas Christiansen reveals why Felix Wiedwald started against Barnsley
LEEDS UNITED head coach Thomas Christiansen says goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald was “ready” to return to the starting XI for the win against Barnsley.
Felix Wiedwald returned to the Leeds United team for the 2-0 win at Barnsley
Wiedwald, a summer signing from Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, had not featured in the Championship since a horror display in the 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on October 1.
Christiansen picked Andy Lonergan in his place but the experienced stopper failed to impress, notably dropping a clanger against Brentford earlier this month.
Wiedwald was rarely troubled against Barnsley as Leeds secured a 2-0 win to climb to eighth in the Championship table.
Christiansen said: ”Well my thinking was that that was the game for him to come in.
“That was a decision that we have spoke about this week and we thought it was the moment.
“He has performed well in the training, he had learnt from his mistakes and I thought he was ready for this.”
Well my thinking was that that was the game for him to come in
Striker Caleb Ekuban also came into the starting XI, and his performance caught Christiansen’s eye.
"Well, Caleb showed in the last two games when he came in that he has the quality, he has the willness, the work,” Christiansen said.
"He also has the quality to score some goals today, he was close to put one in but for me the most important is that again it was a good help that he gave the team."
Thomas Christiansen thought it was the right time to restore Felix Wiedwald
Christiansen is sweating on the fitness of midfielder Eunan O’Kane ahead of Friday’s Championship fixture against Aston Villa.
When asked about O’Kane’s condition, he said: ”No, I don't know. I don't know."
"But they told me that he could continue a little bit more and my thoughts were to take him out.
"We had a 2-0 score, it was a good moment also for Conor [Shaughnessy] to come in."