Phil Hay: I’d be ‘very surprised’ if 26-yr-old plays again for Leeds this season
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has admitted that he would be “very surprised” if Leeds United winger Helder Costa plays any part in the final two matches.
Costa, 26, was forced off the pitch as Leeds beat Barnsley 1-0 on Thursday with the Portuguese attacker looking as though he was in a lot of pain.
It has since been reported that the former Wolves ace suffered a rib injury.
Ex-Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Hay has shared his thoughts on Costa’s setback, claiming he is likely to miss the games against Derby and Charlton.
Costa is someone who has attracted a lot of critics at Elland Road this season but his form since the restart has been brilliant.
The 26-year-old has scored one goal and supplied three assists in his last five appearances, which has doubled his assist tally for the whole Championship season.
He’s had his critics and we think that the criticism of him has been fair given how well he did at Wolves in the Championship, but he has come in leaps and bounds in recent weeks and it’s looking quite promising for him next term in the Premier League.
Costa’s rib injury is a shame because he’s still in pain and is likely to be celebrating a lot less wildly than he would have if he wasn’t hurt.
But at least the promotion job is done now and Marcelo Bielsa might have the chance to hand someone like Ian Poveda a start on the right-wing in the last two matches to hand him some vital first-team experience.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in negotiations to sign this 23-year-old attacker.