Phil Hay: Leeds United hit by COVID-19, Liverpool game off and Villa clash at risk
Phil Hay has shared the news that Leeds United have been hit by positive COVID-19 cases throughout their squad.
It was confirmed this afternoon (23rd December) that the Whites’ trip to Liverpool on Boxing Day has been postponed.
Leeds are due to face Aston Villa two days later on the 28th, with Hay insisting that one is at risk now too.
Writing on his personal Twitter account after the news broke, Hay admitted it was a “fair” chance of a double postponement.
“Liverpool v Leeds on Boxing Day is OFF due to COVID outbreak in the Leeds camp,” he wrote.
“A fair chance that the Villa game on Dec 28 will be postponed too but that’s still to be decided.”
Needed?
Although Marcelo Bielsa has admitted he would rather play every single game, this could be somewhat of a blessing in disguise for Leeds.
Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo, Liam Cooper, Patrick Bamford and Dan James all look likely to be out until 2022, so missing these next two games would give much-needed time for that to happen.
Given that Villa visiting Elland Road is two days after Boxing Day, it is all but certain that the game will also be dropped.
Diego Llorente was struck with illness over the past week, and it looks as though that may have been COVID and passed along to some teammates or staff.
Safety of players comes first, and it looks as though the Premier League has seen sense with the current crisis ongoing at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to make major January signings with unexpected deals to force action