Leeds United: Injury update emerges ahead of Sunderland clash
Leeds United may have been handed a boost as Sunderland interim boss Mike Dodds confirmed Nazariy Rusyn is to miss the trip to Elland Road.
Following a defeat against Coventry City, Daniel Farke will be hoping his side can bounce back at home to the Black Cats when they face off on Tuesday (9 April).
Coming into the game the Whites have concerns of their own as Ethan Ampadu is a major doubt due to illness but may still feature.
Now Dodds has confirmed, in quotes reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post (8 April), that the travelling side will be without players of their own.e
He said: “He’s [Rusyn] not close. He was out on the grass running today but he’s not with the group. He’s still going to be a couple of weeks and will probably be touch and go whether he’s back for the Sheffield Wednesday game.
“Trai [Hume] picked up a little bit of a knock in the game but he got through it. There are one or two we are having to manage a little bit. There are still 24 hours before the game so we’ll see how they react in the morning.”
Can Leeds United take advantage of Sunderland absences?
It has been a difficult campaign for Sunderland by the way of strikers. Other than former Leeds man, Jack Clarke no one in their squad has 10-plus goals this term [FotMob].
With that being said, Rusyn has played as their striker in nine starts as well as an additional 21 substitute appearances. In that time he has only scored two and assisted one, which is not the greatest return.
Clarke is just returning from an injury and has played as a striker at various points across the season. In the 5-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers (1 April), the Black Cats played without a recognised striker.
Although Leeds could be missing Ampadu, there appears to be a lack of attacking potency from Sunderland right now.
There are plenty of cover options either in midfield or in defence to replace the Welshman where needed.
Charlie Cresswell could come in for his second start of the campaign or the experienced option of Liam Cooper could be preferred.
At Elland Road and looking to bounce back from a defeat, it seems likely Leeds will come away with all three points.
In other Leeds United news, a contract update for star winger Crysencio Summerville has emerged in recent reports.
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