Jesse Marsch issues early injury update on Leeds United quartet after bruising win at Wolves - YEP 18/3/22
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch believes the injury that forced Patrick Bamford off during the win over Wolves is not a serious one.
By Graham Smyth
Marsch gave an injury update on a quartet of Whites, all of
whom had to come off in the madcap 3-2 victory that saw Leeds come from two
goals down.
Bamford was the first to depart, limping off in agony and
clear distress after just 23 minutes. The striker recently returned from a torn
plantar fascia and it appeared to be his foot that was the problem at Molineux.
Bamford was in tears on the bench and needed to be consoled by captain Liam
Cooper, but Marsch said that was the disappointment at having to come off the
pitch.
"Patrick Bamford we believe is not too bad," said
the American.
"His plantar fasciitis has just been sensitive as he's
tried to get himself back. The reaction can look like it's a bad one, I think
he was just really disappointed to come off."
Diego Llorente also made his exit during the first half,
feeling a back spasm that has been troubling him recently. Marsch says the
centre-half will likely remain at Thorp Arch instead of joining up with the
Spanish national team during the international break.
Mateusz Klich was the third Leeds man to come off before the
break, a clash of heads with Robin Koch leaving the midfielder concussed and
sporting a huge swelling on his cheekbone.
"Klich had a concussion but seems to be okay,"
said Marsch.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier limped off five minutes into the
second half having been clattered by Raul Jimenez, who earned his second yellow
card for the challenge. Meslier was replaced by first-team debutant Kristoffer
Klaesson who made a pair of huge saves late in the game.
"Illan picked up a bit of a hip contusion, we'll see
what that looks like but I don't think it looks too bad," said Marsch, who
revealed that Kalvin Phillips was never going to play any part despite being
included among the subs.
Joe Gelhardt was also on the bench despite a back injury
that has stopped him from training all week.
"Kalvin was never going to play," said Marsch.
"He’s not ready to be in the match. Cooper could have
played, 10 or 15 minutes fit. Joffy didn't train all week. The plan was to have
him play against Manchester United with the 23s, but he had a back spasm and
didn't train. We put him through a little session this morning to get him
ready, that made him available from the bench. There was no way Joffy could
have gone the whole game, so that was the decision [when Sam Greenwood replaced
Bamford and we ran out of subs in the 50th minute."