LEEDS FULLBACK INJURED, MISSES AUSTRALIA TOUR

Leeds United left-back Junior Firpo has picked up a knock and won’t be travelling with the rest of his teammates on the tour of Australia. This is according to journalist Phil Hay of The Athletic who said the ex-Barcelona and Real Betis star will miss the Australian tour as a result of injury. He has been left out of the tour as a precaution as they didn’t want to risk further damage to the player with the start of the season a few weeks away.

In the absence of Firpo who signed for Leeds United from Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona last summer, Leif Davis is the only recognised left-back in theLeeds United squad and his long-term future is in serious doubt.

The left-back position was a big issue at Leeds United last summer especially after the exit of North Macedonia player EzgjanAlioskiwho left the club on a free transfer and he’s now on the payroll of Al Ahli FC of Saudi Arabia. The exit of Alioski left Northern Ireland international Stuart Dallas as the only tested left-back option in the team as he’s a versatile footballer who can play in defence and midfield. Leeds United turned to Firpo to replace Alioski, but he was not a regular on the left side of the Leeds United defence mainly due to injury. He missed several weeks as a result of injury during the course of last season.

Northern Irishman Dallas is a long-term absentee, while the aforementioned Firpo is missing thus leaving manager Jesse Marsch with a serious headache as regards the left-back position. The good news for Marsch and Leeds United is that the knock picked up by Firpo is not a serious one and he’s expected to return to action when the team returns from their tour of Australia.