By Noel Whelan

10th Mar, 2022 | 7:00am

Leeds United news: Robin Koch tipped for axe and 18-app star to play v Aston Villa - Whelan

Noel Whelan has claimed there is a “massive possibility” of Adam Forshaw replacing Robin Koch in the Leeds United line-up to face Aston Villa.

The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Jesse Marsch’s men also need to be “more clinical” in the final third against the Midlands side.

Forshaw entered the fray with 20 minutes remaining as Leeds United were defeated 1-0 against Leicester on Saturday (5 March) in Marsch’s first game in charge.

As quoted by Leeds Live (8 March), the American revealed the midfielder didn’t start against the Foxes after enduring a disrupted week of training.

Marsch insisted he “needed as many players who were 100% on the pitch from the start as we could”.

Whelan hailed the potential impact of Forshaw’s introduction and expects him to replace the 25-year-old German in midfield.

“There’s a massive possibility of Forshaw coming in to replace Koch against Villa,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.

“He’s my second choice behind Kalvin Phillips in that midfield role. He can dictate the play, start moves, and he reads the game really well.

“I don’t think Marsch needs to make too many changes based on what I saw against Leicester.

“The main change with the existing players has to be in front of goal. We need to be more clinical if we’re to come away with three points.”

Forshaw has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this term after recovering from a near two-year injury layoff.

Leeds United sit just two points clear of relegation danger ahead of Thursday’s game.

Aston Villa come to Elland Road off the back of a thumping 4-0 win over Southampton on Saturday (5 March).

In other news, pundit claims Marsch has already fixed Marcelo Bielsa ‘problem’ after latest.