Massive Leeds blow as key player ruled out for clash v Crystal Palace
Leeds United are going to be without Rodrigo for the game against Crystal Palace, with the player still in self-isolation.
Rodrigo missed the 4-1 defeat to Leicester after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
The international break after the Palace game means that’s the only game that Rodrigo will miss.
Slightly better news came from Marcelo Bielsa after the game on Monday night as he said the injury to Raphinha isn’t serious.
The team news was relayed from the post-match press conference by Athletic journalist Phil Hay on his Twitter account.
Leeds really missed Rodrigo on Monday night. He showed how good he can be in the 3-0 win against Aston Villa.
Losing him to the Covid protocol is annoying and there were no further details about how it happened from Bielsa.
It likely means another start for Pablo Hernandez, who had a good game without having the same influence as Rodrigo did at Villa Park.
Having Raphinha back will be a major boost, although Bielsa stopped short of saying that he would definitely be fit for the game.
He’s had an impact from the bench in every game that he’s played for Leeds so far and he could be a vital player at Selhurst Park.
The defeat last night was the toughest blow of the season so far for Leeds and it’s important to bounce back on Saturday.
The conditions weren’t ideal for the style of Leeds’ play but Leicester were by far the better team on the night.
In other Leeds United news, ‘No excuse’ – Ally McCoist rips into one Leeds player after 4-1 defeat to Leicester