Phil Hay shares Rodrigo team news update for Leeds United v Tottenham live on Sky Sports
Rodrigo is “absolutely” expected to start for Leeds United in their crucial do-or-die showdown with Tottenham at Elland Road, according to the Athletic reporter Phil Hay.
The Spanish forward was doubtful for the clash on Sunday (28 May) due to a foot injury in a game where Leeds have to win and hope results involving Everton and Leicester City go their way.
However, Hay speaking to Sky Sports News (28 May, 10:44am), fully expects Rodrigo – who has 13 goals in 30 Premier League appearances this term – to feature.
“Absolutely (he’ll play), I think the plan this week has been to patch up Rodrigo if they can,” he said.
“The concern about his fitness, the foot injury, didn’t seem to be the same concern about Patrick Bamford’s hamstring which may be too much but we will see when the team’s announced and see what’s being said when we get down to the ground.
“Rodrigo by a country mile has been their Player of the Year this season. His finishing has been extremely sharp, I think for the first time he’s kind of shown he can do it in this division, he’s looked much closer to the £27million-player who they signed in 2020, who never seemed to fit, never really seemed to find his niche, never really seemed like Leeds knew what to do with him.
“It’s just the irony in the season where it’s gone well for him Leeds have had their worst season since he arrived.
“But absolutely he needs to play today and (Sam) Allardyce was saying on Friday anyone who’s willing to push themselves through, anybody who’s happy to patch themselves up, who’s happy to do that then we’ll give them a go.”
Rodrigo boost gives Leeds a fighting chance
There is absolutely no dressing up the fact that the position Leeds United find themselves in is perilous against Spurs.
In truth, it is going to take a footballing miracle for them to beat the drop on the final day of the Premier League season for the second campaign running.
But, if they are to pull off the great escape, then it was imperative Rodrigo would be fit to start and it looks as though Leeds will thrust him into the thick of the action.
Spurs are badly out of form and actually Leeds will fancy their chances of getting at them, especially in front of a raucous Elland Road.
With an inconsistent Spurs defence to get at, Rodrigo will be chomping at the bit. Leeds need all the stars to align perfectly. Well the first has seemingly aligned with the news their best player this term is going to be involved…now the rest have to follow suit.
In other Leeds news, Sam Allardyce says he is ready to gamble against Tottenham.