Adam Pope: Raphinha fit and available for Leeds United v Aston Villa after injury scare last week
Raphinha is fit and available for Leeds United in their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening (09 February).
That’s according to BBC journalist Adam Pope, who spoke to the Samba star live from Thorp Arch at the beginning of the week.
Raphinha was a doubt after limping off in a big injury scare for Brazil last week, with Marcelo Bielsa not mentioning him in his latest press conference.
One fan picked up on that over on social media and quizzed Pope on whether or not Raphinha will be ready.
Writing on his personal Twitter account on Monday evening, Pope shared the news that every Leeds fan was waiting to hear.
“He’s fit and available,” he wrote.
Amazing.
That is the news that we were all waiting to hear.
Raphinha is the main man at Elland Road, everyone knows that, and it was critical that he was available tomorrow evening.
It is never good seeing one of your best players limp to the sidelines after being forced off for their international side during the break.
The winger is made of tough stuff, though, and is kicked and left with bruises every single time he steps onto the pitch.
Having Raphinha out on the right instantly gives Leeds a chance in any game they play, and this will be no different with more faces returning from injury.
The likes of Adam Forshaw also look set to feature, in what promises to be a great showdown with one of our newest rivals in football.
Bring it on.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay shares major injury update at Thorp Arch as player returns to training