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Beren Cross

Rodrigo set for Leeds United fitness boost as he eyes Georginio Rutter-Patrick Bamford theory

Racing to be fit for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Leeds United visit is one thing, but Rodrigo has made it clear the team needs more than just his goals to stay up. After playing a key role in last season’s successful fight for survival, the top scorer knows every player will have their moment or their match to keep Leeds in the Premier League.

On the final day at Brentford, it was Raphinha and Jack Harrison, Joe Gelhardt shared a Brighton equaliser with Pascal Struijk after his late winner over Norwich City, while Rodrigo and Luke Ayling were pivotal in the madness at Molineux. Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford, who have struggled to make an impact in Rodrigo’s absence, will be key in the 32-year-old’s eyes.

“It's true when Georginio arrived, I got injured after two weeks, so we didn't train too much together, but he's adapting really well,” he told LeedsLive. “Him, and Patrick as well, we all will be very important from now until the end.

READ MORE: Leeds United loanee's emotional post after 'frustrating and upsetting' injury setback

“Now is the moment we need everyone. We already have the spirit from last season that everyone was important in different moments to achieve the main goal.

“Everyone will be important. Not just the strikers. We need everyone focused, everyone 100 per cent committed and we have been until now.

“We have to keep this because, as I said to you, the most important thing is the union of the group. In these moments, especially in the difficult moments in football, from my personal experience, not just here in Leeds, but in Valencia and Benfica before as well, it’s the most important thing to overcome these moments.”

The Spain international’s recovery from ankle surgery continues and he is understood to be hopeful of not only being available for the trip to Wolverhampton next weekend, but even the Seagulls’ Elland Road visit this Saturday. That will be the kind of welcome boost Javi Gracia needs after last weekend’s loss.

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