Ex-Leeds United star Noel Whelan feels the ongoing international break will benefit Chris Wood and Pontus Jansson for the vital Championship game against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Wood and Jansson, who have both been in fine form for Leeds in the present campaign, were both called up by their respective national teams during the international break.
Jansson, who came on as a late substitute in Sweden’s 2-1 loss to France in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, is expected to feature in the friendly against Hungary tonight.
On the other hand, Wood played the whole match in New Zealand’s 2-0 win over New Caledonia on Saturday, with the striker set to play the corresponding World Cup qualifying fixture later in the day.
And Whelan thinks being away on international duty will boost the duo’s confidence for the clash against the Championship toppers at Elland Road at the weekend.
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“Chris Wood and Pontus Jansson have also been away on international duty and both have played but they will be absolutely fine for the Newcastle game”, he wrote in his column in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“They will be still be buzzing and sometimes it’s nice to have a little bit of an international break when you are playing.
“It’s different to the pressures of league football. Plus it’s another cap for them as well and long may that continue because we want international players for our club.
“I think being away with their country will just give them more confidence for the game coming up against Newcastle.”
While Wood is Leeds’ current top goalscorer this season, with 11 strikes in all competitions to his name, Jansson has successfully managed to solidify the Whites’ defence since joining the club from Torino on a season-long loan deal in the summer.
