Phil Hay delivers worrying verdict on Jean-Kevin Augustin after hamstring setback
Athletic journalist Phil Hay has delivered a very worrying verdict on new Leeds United striker Jean-Kevin Augustin after the new signing missed the Middlesbrough game through injury.
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed that he had pulled his hamstring and would also miss Saturday’s game against Hull.
However, talking on the latest episode of the Phil Hay Show, the Athletic journalist not only said it was doubtful whether Augustin would now start a game this season, he also questioned how much he would feature in the remaining 11 games.
“Bielsa did his post-match presser,” Hay said, “he just said it’s a hamstring pull.
“He won’t be fit for Hull at the weekend, but hamstrings being hamstrings you’d have to think he’s looking at least a couple of weeks to get over this properly, which is not great because he’s been building up his fitness and he’s obviously been short of what Bielsa wants and this isn’t going to help and cuts out more of the season.
“We’re almost down to single figures [of games left] and it makes you wonder if he’s going to start and how much he’s going to feature overall in what’s left of the run-in.”
Big Kev was seen as the player who would push Leeds over the line in their quest for promotion.
However, he hasn’t had any sort of impact yet, making a few appearances from the bench without scoring.
He hasn’t looked fit and certainly nowhere near the level Marcelo Bielsa demands from his players.
Perhaps that’s not surprising seeing as he’d only started two games for Monaco this season.
However, this hamstring injury will set him back further and when he gets back he’ll be back on the fitness treadmill again.
It’s very possible that Leeds will have to get back to the top flight without him – certainly, they’ll have to get the three points against Hull at the KCOM without him.
A win there would be another big boost as Leeds look to build on the five-point buffer between them and third-placed Fulham.
In other Leeds United news, ‘It is true’ – Phil Hay: This is what I’ve been told about Bielsa and Real Betis