Leeds United in mini injury crisis with four defenders on sidelines in pre season
Leeds United have four players injured for their upcoming pre-season game as Jesse Marsch recently confirmed their absences.
Speaking to the media ahead of the game against Brisbane Roar on Thursday, July 14, the American said that Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper and Leo Hjelde are unavailable while Luke Ayling is also a long-term injury absentee.
Firpo and Ayling are expected to miss the start of the season as well while the other two should return to action soon.
“He’s most likely out eight weeks,” Marsch said of Firpo, via the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“I think [Cooper has] just got a little bit of an Achilles issue, and so we’re just being cautious and taking it day by day.
“He won’t play tomorrow. Leo Hjelde also has a small calf contusion so he won’t play, but the rest of the roster that’s here will be ready and prepared to play.”
Shambles
The season’s not even begun and the Whites are facing a mini injury crisis in defence.
With Luke Ayling already missing the start of the new season, there will now be three more players who are not long-term concerns but unlikely to feature in the next game or two.
Firpo will miss the first few games of the Premier League campaign and that’s certainly a blow for a player who’s struggled to adapt to life in England.
This pre-season would’ve been a good chance for him to adapt but it seems like that’s not going to happen and he will be seen next season once the campaign has already unfolded.
Victor Orta now needs to work doubly as hard to bring in a left-back who can put pressure on Firpo and challenge for a regular first-team role.
Hopefully, this deal gets done before pre-season ends so that Marsch has plenty of time to work with him.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay claims that a midfielder who was admired by Marcelo Bielsa is set to leave this summer.