Leeds United sweat as Raphinha limps out of Brazil win with ‘cramp’
Leeds United appear to have avoided a major new injury problem after Raphinha limped out of Brazil’s win last night, according to reports in Brazil.
The 25-year-old scored as part of an excellent display in the 4-0 victory over Paraguay in Belo Horizonte, but was substituted late on after a heavy challenge, sparking fears that he would be the latest member of the Whites squad to be absent with injury this season.
The Birmingham Mail reported this morning: “After being on the end of a heavy challenge, the influential winger was limping heavily as he was substituted late on during the game in Belo Horizonte.
“It is another concern for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who have suffered a catalogue of injuries this season.”
But Team Talk has since said: “Raphinha did limp out of the action after 82 minutes, with Everton Ribeiro replacing him.
“However, reports in Brazil indicate the winger was suffering with cramp and the substitution was only precautionary.”
Anxious watch
For all they are proud of their star man performing admirably on international duty, Leeds fans who were watching the action in South America would have been hoping for him to get through the match unscathed above all else.
With the injury problems at Elland Road this season they, and manager Marcelo Bielsa, could be forgiven for wishing their players were not going to be called up to their national sides for a while.
The former Rennes player has become arguably the stand-out figure in the United team this season in the absence of other key names like Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford.
And they can ill afford to lose him with the other two still missing.
Some of the injury problems that have beset the squad all season have started to ease but others continue to linger.
And the manager does not have the luxury of being able to rely on any January reinforcements either.
Needing points fast to drag them away from the relegation zone, everybody associated with Leeds will be anxiously awaiting Raphinha’s return, and hoping that all he brings back with him is boosted form and confidence.
In other Leeds United news, this PL rival blocked a loan move for one of their players to move to West Yorkshire at the end of the transfer window.