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David Byrom

'You score 5 we'll score 6' - Leeds United fans' deliver verdict on Diego Llorente blow

Leeds United fans have been reacting to the news that Diego Llorente will miss Friday's game against West Ham through injury.

The centre-back made his long-awaited Leeds debut in Saturday's defeat to Chelsea as he came off the bench to replace the injured Robin Koch.

With Koch now out until March, there were hopes that Llorente would be given a run in the team - but he has now suffered an injury set-back of his own.

It has prompted Leeds fans to bemoan the luck of the summer signing, who has managed just three appearances for club and country all season.

Confirming the news in his pre-match press conference, Marcelo Bielsa said Llorente should not be out for a long period but could not give an exact timeframe.

He said: "Llorente won't be available as he has a muscular problem and it will take him a while to recover.

"He has a muscular problem. We won't be able to count on him immediately.

"What's for sure is for the next two or three weeks we won't be able to count on him.

"Perhaps it will take longer depending on his evolution."

In terms of alternatives, it looks likely to be either Luke Ayling or Kalvin Phillips that fill in at centre-back.

Making it clear that the Whites are unlikely to bring in a new defender in January, Bielsa said Rodrigo would replace Koch in the starting XI to face West Ham on Friday.

That suggests either Ayling or Phillips will deputies at centre-back - although Bielsa also named Pascal Struijk's ability in the position.

In more positive news, Bielsa also revealed that Gaetano Berardi will be back in contention in February after his ligament injury in the summer.

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