Marcelo Bielsa comments on Leeds star Pablo Hernandez’s injury

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Marcelo Bielsa has issued a concerning three-word response when asked whether Pablo Hernandez is a doubt for Leeds United’s Boxing Day clash with Preston North End, in comments reported by Leeds Live.

Hernandez had to be substituted during the first three minutes against Fulham on Saturday. He pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and was soon replaced by Gjanni Alioski.

With Leeds taking one point from their last two games, Hernandez sustaining a significant injury is something Marcelo Bielsa’s men could clearly do without.

Unfortunately for the Whites however, Bielsa has admitted that the Spaniard is unlikely to be involved against their promotion rivals.

“I think so,” he said, as reported by Leeds Live, when asked whether Hernandez is a doubt for Boxing Day.

Hernandez has perhaps not been at his best for much of this season. But it is still a massive blow if he is sidelined for a substantial period of time. He has scored three goals and provided four assists this term, including one goal and two assists in his last five appearances.

And with Leeds’s midfield already depleted due to injury, it may prove to be a tough period to negotiate. Adam Forshaw, Jamie Shackleton and Tyler Roberts have all been missed lately.

They certainly have the quality to cope without Hernandez. But Leeds will need the likes of Helder Costa, Jack Harrison and Mateusz Klich to really step up.