By Joe Ellis

1st Feb, 2022 | 5:08pm

View: Leeds United to watch Raphinha and Brazil from behind the sofa

Leeds United winger Raphinha is set to start for Brazil in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay but that isn’t the good news fans want to hear.

Brazilian media outlet Globo reported the news that the Whites star had earned another start alongside Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. and Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha.

The 25-year-old played an hour against Ecuador before being subbed off and he now has another opportunity to make an impression on manager Tite.

While it is great news for the player, who gets to represent his country once again, it is not exactly what Leeds United fans would want to hear.

Considering the injury problems facing Marcelo Bielsa at the moment, the last thing he wants is arguably his best player getting injured on international duty.

And given how the Ecuador game became more of a brawl than a football game, injury is far from out of the question when Paraguay come to town.

Tite has already said he is going to rotate his team with World Cup qualification already secured and Paraguay with no chance of getting their themselves.

His front line though will remain as it was against Ecuador and the stress and strain of the game may take its toll on the starters.

Leeds can only hope that Raphinha makes it through the game unscathed and he can return to Elland Road ready to kick on towards the end of the season.

Supporters might have to watch Wednesday’s game with their hands over their eyes or even from behind their sofas if it turns into the kung-fu exhibition that the Ecuador game did.

In other Leeds United news, the latest report on this starlet suggests that he could still leave Yorkshire despite a failed loan move in January.