Helder Costa absent from Leeds training ahead of clash v Brighton
Helder Costa was conspicuous by his absence as Leeds United warmed up for their trip to face Premier League strugglers Brighton on Saturday.
The 27-year-old winger was forced off with an injury in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Elland Road after a clash with Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The challenge drew the ire of the LUFC Twitter account who said Costa had been “suplexed”, a wrestling move that involves slamming the opponent on their back
That challenge could deprive him a starting spot at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
LUTV posted an ‘Inside Training’ video showing the build-up and preparation to the Brighton game, and Costa was nowhere to be seen.
That could offer a big hint at his involvement, or lack of it, in this weekend’s clash.
And that spells more trouble for Leeds with winger Raphinha already ruled out of today’s game.
Two wingers down?
We’ve got plenty of young attacking talent that can take up slots on our substitutes bench but we’re being shorn of the services of some senior talent on the wings.
Star man Raphinha has missed the past two encounters with Liverpool and Manchester United and he will be absent once again at Brighton.
His replacement, Costa, hasn’t exactly pulled up any trees this season but Marcelo Bielsa still seems to retain belief in his abilities and he was probably closest to breaking the deadlock for us at Elland Road last Sunday with his deflected effort that just looped over the crossbar.
He didn’t last much longer after that with Wan-Bissaka roughhousing him off the pitch with a heavy challenge that went unpunished by referee Craig Pawson.
That caused consternation in the Whites ranks, with Patrick Bamford booked for dissent for asking why nothing was given.
It looks like a challenge that could have longer-term consequences with Costa’s availability versus Brighton in doubt, and it would put the stoppers on an extended run in the team after three consecutive starts.
In other Leeds United news, Pundit fears ‘Catastrophic’ consequences amid recent Whites exit speculation.