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Exclusive: Paul Robinson claims injury blow to Leeds attacker is a 'real body blow'
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that the injury to Leeds Under-23 striker Ryan Edmondson is a “real body blow”.
BBC journalist Adam Pope reported that Edmondson was set to miss up to two months after undergoing a knee operation.
It comes just as many fans were hoping he would break through into the first team, with Leeds struggling in front of goal.
Edmondson ruled out for up to two months after knee operation. #LUFC https://t.co/ejwwWhQQPW
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 3, 2020
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said it was incredibly tough on Edmondson but that he had to get his head down and come back stronger.
“Yeah, it’s a real body blow,” Robinson said, “especially for a young lad trying to get into the first team.
“But these things happen with football and it’s something you have to deal with. It’s all about getting back fit and coming back even stronger.”
Bielsa obviously has plans for Edmondson and didn’t want him going out on loan in January.
However, he wasn’t getting in the squad after Eddie Nketiah was recalled and before Jean-Kevin Augustin arrived, despite scoring consistently for the Under-23s.
Robinson admitted it is a big step up to the Championship, although many other Under-23s have done it under Bielsa.
“To put the onus on young shoulders like that, to put the responsibility on him to score the goals that are going to get you promoted, I think it’s a big risk.
“However, if the kid’s good enough he’s old enough to put him in and that’s sometimes how you get your chance – it’s how I got my chance as a kid.”
What the injury means for Leeds is that they can’t afford anything to happen to either Patrick Bamford or Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Bamford has only missed one game through injury this season, while Augustin is expected to get his first outing on the bench this Saturday when Leeds travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Hand a transfer request in; Disgraceful’: Many Leeds fans fume at comments from senior club man