Phil Hay delivers big Leeds fitness boost ahead of clash v Aston Villa
Leeds United were hit hard with the news of an injury to Kalvin Phillips on Tuesday, with the midfielder ruled out for up to six weeks.
He had been seen nursing a shoulder problem in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Monday.
However, some Leeds fans have been fearing the worst after Pascal Struijk was taken off with a knock in the same game.
With Diego Llorente out and Liam Cooper aggravating his groin strain in the Wolves warm-up, some were fearing a crisis at the back.
One fan asked, “Do we know if Struijk got injured as well Phil? Absolute nightmare to have our DM and 3 CBs all out at the same time, especially when one of those CBs backup for KP whilst Forshaw is out. Couldn’t be timed worse.”
However, Hay claimed that the issue with Struijk “wasn’t too bad”.
He did add that he didn’t expect Llorente to be available for Friday.
Struijk a surprise central figure
We were expecting Struijk to be a fringe player at best this season but with the other injury news, he’s become a really important name.
If he is fit for Friday it will take a lot of pressure off Bielsa.
If Cooper plays then it would be Cooper/Koch at the back with Struijk taking the holding midfield role.
If Cooper isn’t fit, then it could be Koch/Ayling at the back with Struijk in midfield.
Alternatively, Klich could drop back into the holding midfield role, with Struijk/Cooper at the back and Dallas and Ayling in their normal full-back roles.
If Struijk was ruled out as well then it could force Klich back, with Pablo Hernandez coming in for him. However, Hernandez has been suffering with his own fitness issues this season.
None of it is ideal for the Villa game but having Struijk available would be a big boost for Bilesa.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Leeds are a myth’ – Sky Sports pundit blasts Whites after 1-0 defeat v Wolves