Leeds suffer enormous injury blow ahead of Aston Villa clash

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Marcelo Bielsa has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Kemar Roofe will be missing from Sunday’s clash against Aston Villa after picking up an injury to his hip.

Leeds are already set to be without Gjanni Alioski, after the Macedonia international limped off after just 10 minutes of the 2-0 defeat to Brentford with a torn meniscus. He has since undergone surgery.

Now, Leeds have suffered another blow in their bid to keep their small automatic promotion chances alive. Roofe has been impressive for the Whites, but has spent a considerable amount of time in the physio room.

He missed the best part of two months earlier this year due to a knee injury, and now Bielsa has confirmed that Leeds’ top scorer – with 14 goals – has suffered a hip injury.

“Apart from Roofe and Alioski all the other players are available,” Bielsa said. “He (Roofe) has a problem in his hip and he can’t sprint, he can’t use his maximum speed. I think he will be available soon.”

TBR’s view

The small consolation is that it sounds as though Roofe could return from the injury to be a part of the play-off campaign, which looks increasingly likely given Leeds are now three points behind Sheffield United.

Roofe’s versatility and contribution to play in the final third is just as important as his goals, and is a big loss against a side that are bang in form – having won their last 10 league games.

He scored the winner in the reverse fixture, and fans will have to place their faith in Patrick Bamford instead.