Leeds United are sweating over the injury sustained by Gabriel Gudmundsson vs Spurs. But there looks to be positive news from Sweden boss Graham Potter.
Daniel Farke again will be hoping that his international stars come back to Thorp Arch in just over a week’s time all in one piece.
In particular, he’ll be sweating over Gabriel Gudmundsson. The left-wing-back was forced off at half-time vs Spurs as he limped down the tunnel clutching his hamstring.
Graham Potter issues important Gabriel Gudmundsson injury update – Leeds United feel huge relief
Farke confirmed Gudmundsson’s hamstring setback after the game, as Melvin Bard shone in his place. However, there was no suggestion that the Swede would be withdrawn from Graham Potter’s squad for looming Nations League action.
Sweden take on Tarik Muharemovic’s Bosnia at home on Saturday evening, before travelling to Poland on Tuesday night.
Manager Potter has since shared insight into Gudmundsson’s hamstring trouble. IN the process, he’s calmed any fears of Leeds’ key man spending any time on the sidelines.
“He’s okay,” Potter said, per Fotbollskanlen. “The X-ray went well, but we need to see him and go through a couple of days of recovery to make sure he’s okay. He’ll probably be on the field with the guys on Wednesday-Thursday. There’s no problem.”
Importantly, Potter was pushed for an answer on Gudmundsson being available to face club teammate Muharemovic on Saturday, to which he said yes.
Could Melvin Bard start anyway for Leeds United at Chelsea despite Gabriel Gudmundsson injury relief?
Even with Gudmundsson seemingly shaking off his injury issue here, there is still the question of whether he starts against Chelsea.
He wasn’t good at all in that Spurs first half, wasteful in the final third. Bard came on and showed real quality and punch with the ball at his feet, something that has been a weakness of Gudmundsson’s.
They’re different players, and it’s ideal to have different dynamics from our two left-wing-back options. However, with Gudmundsson a potential injury risk, it’s ideal to know his backup is more than good enough to play when called upon.
Away to Chelsea after the break, there’s scope for Bard to start, and I think it would be totally justified. We’ll have to see how Gudmundsson fares in these Nations League games.
