Jamie Shackleton and Daniel James join growing Leeds United injury list
Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Jamie Shackleton and Daniel James have been added to the Leeds United injury list for the clash against Arsenal on Saturday.
Leeds were already set to be without numerous players for their meeting with the Gunners at Elland Road with Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Rodrigo injured and Junior Firpo suspended.
However, Shackleton and James are now ruled out of playing against Arsenal after both were substituted off against Manchester City on Tuesday.
As quoted by LeedsLive, Bielsa said: ” Shackleton and James are out.”
He added: “Shackleton has a problem with his Achilles tendon and Jame has a problem in his abductor muscles.”
Ridiculous
When’s this going to stop?
Leeds have all of these players out injured, Firpo suspended, numerous other players on their fourth bookings and COVID cases are starting to spike within the Premier League.
Robin Koch is returning this weekend but other than that, we really fail to see any positives about Leeds’ fortunes.
In all honesty, the best thing that could happen for Leeds is for the league to be put on hold for a few weeks until the spike in coronavirus cases settles down.
However, that would mean to be wishing for players to test positive for the virus and we really don’t want to do that.
Bielsa’s bound to be walking a tight-rope right now when it comes to managing his players’ fitness at the busiest period of the season while also letting them out to play without running the risk of suspensions.
James and Shackleton have by no means been in good form this season but they’re both versatile players who can play in multiple positions and they both started at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Losing them is yet another major blow as Leeds’ selection crisis hits a new depth.
In other Leeds United news, Peter Crouch was wowed by this one Leeds player in the 7-0 loss at Man City.