Jack Harrison suffers with ‘muscular issue’ around ribs as Leeds United ace struggles for form
Jack Harrison is being affected by a rib injury issue when he plays and that may be hurting his Leeds United form, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay.
Harrison, 24, is one of numerous Leeds players who’ve struggled to meet expectations this season with the winger failing to directly contribute to any goals outside of his two goals and assist versus Crewe in the Carabao Cup.
And it seems that the ex-New York City attacker is struggling with an ongoing rib issue.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show podcast, The Athletic journalist said: “It’s probably not helping him.
“It sounded to me, from what I was told, it was like a muscular issue around one of his ribs or his rib cage.
“I don’t think it’s a massive problem for him and clearly, he’s still able to play.
“It might well be affecting him to some degree but he falls into a category at the moment who are not playing as well as they have previously.”
Could be worse
While it’s not going to be comfortable for Harrison to be playing through such an injury, we have to appreciate that this issue for him could be a lot worse.
Clearly, if it was bad then he wouldn’t be playing.
Rib injuries can affect the ability to move the torso, arms and even breathing so for him to be playing through the pain, it’s obviously something that the Leeds medical team feel is manageable.
If that’s the case, he needs to be given some time off with Raphinha and Daniel James both available to play against Norwich on Sunday.
There’s no reason why Bielsa cannot name Raphinha and James on the wings with Rodrigo in behind Joe Gelhardt. It would be way better than Tyler Roberts starting or an injured Harrison.
Leeds’ form has been dire and playing a weakened Harrison, a £13million permanent signing in the summer, isn’t going to help one bit.
In other Leeds United news, it’s been confirmed this star player will miss the trip to Norwich on Sunday.