The fluctuating breaks between matches continue for Leeds Unites this week. They travel to Crystal Palace in just four days.
The Selhurst Park clash comes off the back of a 10-day break between Aston Villa and Leicester City, which came just four days after the Wolverhampton Wanderers loss.
It’s a short turnaround before visiting Roy Hodgson, but then we are into yet another international break and 15 days until Arsenal visit Elland Road.
While Liam Cooper confirmed his return to fitness against the Foxes on Monday night, the injury list has grown across the past few days.
Adam Forshaw
The longest-standing source of pain for Bielsa, medical staff and fans at United. The central midfielder has had so little luck for so long now.
After first injuring his hip a 2019 summer friendly with Cagliari, Forshaw soldiered on through eight matches last season before finally succumbing to the pain.
September 28, 2019 was Forshaw’s last appearance. In February it was finally decided he would go to the USA for surgery on the hip with hopes to return in August for the new season.
The 29-year-old has finally been seen training with his team-mates outdoors again, but when asked about him in September, Bielsa again tried to take the pressure off Forshaw.
Bielsa would not put a date on Forshaw’s comeback, but did he say he would need up to five under-23 appearances before getting back into the first team.
The fifth consecutive under-23 match from now would be on January 11, but that’s assuming Forshaw played in their next game this Friday.
There has been no news to suggest that will happen, which then pushes those Premier League 2 opportunities into February and, possibly, March.
A 2020/21 first-team return would be a very pleasing, and achievable. result for Forshaw as it stands.
Diego Llorente
The Spain defender’s groin problem is evidently more serious than Cooper’s was based upon United’s statement last month and the Scotland man’s return to action.
The club expected Llorente to be out for up to three weeks, which was the date of the Leicester game.
The 27-year-old missed Wolves and Villa as expected, but ended up missing the Foxes at Elland Road too.
Saturday’s Crystal Palace match remains in keeping with the club’s initial statement on Llorente, but if he misses the London trip to then concerns will grow about his recovery.
Raphinha
The first of two new entries into the treatment room at Thorp Arch. The Brazil winger is struggling with an ankle injury, as announced pre-match last night.
While United said nothing more than Raphinha would continue his rehabilitation at the training ground, Bielsa said: “For Raphinha I don't think it's an injury that will keep him out for long.”
You have to hope that means if he’s unlucky to miss out at Palace then the international break gives time to be ready for Arsenal on November 22.
Rodrigo
Neither injured nor holding a positive test result for coronavirus, but Rodrigo is now isolating. The club and Bielsa said he has been in close contact with a positive case and must stay away in line with guidelines.
Bielsa did confirm the Spaniard would miss out on Saturday, but Spain’s international call-ups will be telling on Rodrigo’s availability moving forward.
Premier League guidance is limited to a 10-day isolation period for any player who personally tests positive. It is less clear on the isolation for players who are in contact with positive cases.
Either way, you would expect he will be available for Arsenal barring further complications.
Kalvin Phillips
Arguably the biggest miss for the Whites. The club’s statement on his shoulder injury suggested no more than six weeks on the sidelines from October 20.
Six weeks would be December 1 with the Chelsea match currently slated for December 5 the next opportunity after that to play.
However, following that official statement, Bielsa said it could be more or less than six weeks in his press conference before Friday’s Villa game.
“I didn’t have the definitive amount of time Phillips was going to be out for,” he said. “I understand the information is incorrect.
“It’s not defined how long he will be out for. It could be more or it could be less.”
So, the Chelsea match would not even be a worst-case scenario. If you’re putting any stock in the club statement, perhaps the Everton trip on November 28 could be feasible if he recovers well.
Alternatively, you might be looking at the home matches with West Ham United or Newcastle United on December 12 and 15 respectively if it drags on.
However, Phillips spoke about the injury for the first time last week and hinted the Arsenal match after the break may well be a possibility.
“It’s getting better,” he said. “I’ve been injured for about a week now, so hopefully I’m aiming for three to four weeks, but if it’s not ready then I’ll have to aim for a bit longer.”
