By Jonty Banks

6th Feb, 2023 | 7:40am

Brenden Aaronson news as Leeds United star stuck in hospital this week

Brenden Aaronson was hospitalised with appendicitis in the week prior to the Leeds United clash against Nottingham Forest and, as such, was named on the substitutes bench, according to Tom Bogert.

Jesse Marsch’s Whites side fell to a lacklustre 1-0 loss at the City Ground, but supporters were left surprised when the playmaker wasn’t summoned from the bench in the latter stages of the match.

MLS expert Bogert revealed (Sunday 5 February) it was a “big surprise” that the 22-year-old even made the bench for the trip and admitted this was the reason he wasn’t present to greet Weston McKennie at the club.

He tweeted: “Brenden Aaronson made the bench today for Leeds United despite being hospitalized during the week for appendicitis, I’m told.

“Aaronson got out of the hospital Wednesday. Big surprise he even made the bench. (That’s why he wasn’t in any of McKennie signing videos like Adams)”

Lack of creativity

Marsch’s side sorely missed Aaronson’s buzzing energy and creativity in the final third on Sunday as they failed to carve open any goal-mouth opportunities throughout the afternoon.

Although they troubled Forest debutant Keylor Navas on a few occasions, the Leeds front four snatched at many of these opportunities and never looked like scoring enough goals to claim all three points.

Unfortunately, whatever you make of Jack Harrison, he’s not at his best in the No.10 position and is a far more productive player when given attacking freedom down the wing.

With Aaronson in the side, Leeds have a player who is able to take the ball in tight space with nimble little touches and progress the play forward.

Too often, the Whites were forced to move the ball out to the dangerous Willy Gnonto on the left wing due to their lack of creativity down the centre, and the American’s return can’t come soon enough.

In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports made a major Daniel James blunder ahead of the game.