Mark Smith

Sat 9 October 2021 10:00, UK

Leeds United winger Raphinha is currently away on international duty with Brazil and is facing quarantine upon his return.

Fans may immediately think that means he will miss training at Thorp Arch and the Premier League clash against Southampton.

That doesn’t appear to be the case though, with Phil Hay insisting that the rules differ for our superstar winger.

Writing on his personal Twitter account, Hay responded to a fan who asked if Raphinha was facing quarantine, to which he said yes.

Despite that, it appears as though he will be allowed to leave that for everything related to Leeds in the period.

“Yes but is still allowed out of quarantine to train and play games,” he wrote.

Race against time?

Now that issue looks to be out of the way, the main problem will be the flight back to the United Kingdom from South America.

Raphinha and his country play Uruguay on Friday, giving him less than a day to return on a flight that could take anywhere up to 12 hours.

Should the winger be on that teamsheet at St. Mary’s, it looks as though it would be a remarkable feat for everyone involved.

Of course, Raphinha will be given the private flight treatment one would assume, so that should cut some time off, but it will still be a mammoth task.

Marcelo Bielsa does have Dan James and Jack Harrison to use if needed, but based on the fact he doesn’t have to quarantine, Raphinha could be there – fingers crossed.

In other Leeds United news, Player ‘very close’ to landing at the Whites to complete transfer – reliable journalist