Leeds United have a host of injury concerns at play ahead of the opening game against Wolves tomorrow afternoon.
The Whites get their Premier League campaign underway tomorrow with an Elland Road test against Wolves, and Jesse Marsch does not have a clean bill of health in his squad for the game.
Pre-season has seen a few setbacks creep in as he assembles a side without Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
His pre-match press conference did shed light on a lot of the concerns that this squad has building up to the start of the season (via Leeds United’s YouTube):
Here, we look at everything we know about the side ahead of Saturday…
Liam Cooper
Jesse Marsch confirmed that the skipper is to be out for the game tomorrow, after picking up an achilles issue in pre-season due to running on a treadmill.
He is expected to be back in full training next week.
Luis Sinisterra
Sinisterra is in a similar position to Cooper as he is out for the opening game, but expected to be in full training from next week after being on the grass this week.
Despite a hamstring setback, Marsch claimed that he was looking “very good” out on the pitch, as he moves towards his top speed.
Adam Forshaw
Forshaw tweaked his knee during the pre-season clash with Crystal Palace, with Marsch suggesting the issue lays with his MCL, but he too is scheduled to be back in training next week.
Where will Leeds finish this season?
Relegation
Bottom half
Top half
Europe
Junior Firpo
Firpo’s hip knock during the Blackpool friendly is still keeping him sidelined, but Marsch is happy with the progress he has made since, and is on course to be back in contention within two to three weeks.
Luke Ayling
Ayling had a minor surgical procedure at the end of last season and is still rehabilitating, but has been set a timeframe of two weeks before he is back in the squad by Marsch.
Stuart Dallas
Dallas is recovering well from his major leg surgery, after breaking his femur against Manchester City last term – but no timescale was offered.
Dan James
Dan James’ red card against Chelsea last season handed the winger a three-match ban, which carries over into this season, meaning he sits out at the weekend – the final game of that suspension.
Kristoffer Klaesson
Klaesson was suggested to have an ankle injury during the press conference, but Marsch cleared that situation up by outlining that it’s no worry for the ‘keeper and that he is fit for tomorrow.
Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz’s promising Ibiza loan was cut short by an ACL injury last term and Marsch is yet to see the player train fully due to his rehabilitation, but the American revealed he is close and is eager to get a closer look at him at Thorp Arch.
Dani van den Heuvel
Marsch revealed a concerning development for young ‘keeper van den Heuvel, sharing that a car accident on Holland under-20 duty had left him with broken vertebrae, but he is back in the gym and recovering well, thankfully.