Leeds United have suffered a double injury blow after Marcelo Bielsa revealed Tyler Roberts won’t be fit to play against Derby County, whilst Pontus Jansson is also a doubt.
The Whites head to Pride Park on Saturday for the first leg of their Championship play-off clash, hoping to continue their strong form against the Rams. They will, however, be without Roberts who has been a key figure for Leeds this season, operating in a number ten role.
The 20-year-old has three goals and five assists in 28 appearances this season. The Welsh youngster had lost his place in the side recently to Adam Forshaw, but he is set to miss the clash with Frank Lampard’s side through injury.
It’s yet another blow for Leeds to cope with, having seen their season heavily disrupted by injuries to key personnel. Speaking at Thorp Arch, ahead of the first leg, Bielsa confirmed Roberts would miss the match, but Stuart Dallas was fit to play.
When quizzed on the fitness of the pair, he said: “Stuart Dallas will play, Tyler Roberts will not.” Short, but not quite sweet from the Argentine chief, as the Whites suffer once again from injuries.
The worst was yet to come, however, as Bielsa then revealed Jansson could miss the match too, with an ankle injury.
Expanding on his answer over Roberts’ fitness, he explained: “There is doubts with Jansson, there’s problems with the ankle.” Leeds already head to Derbyshire without the services of Ezgjan Alioski, Barry Douglas and Patrick Bamford, who is suspended.
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Should Jansson miss the match, Gaetano Berardi is on standby to fill in alongside Liam Cooper at the heart of the Whites’ defence.
