Two weeks without matches gives Leeds United a chance to take stock and replenish their reserves ahead of the run-in, though there’s another break already on the horizon, thanks to Chelsea. Based on the timelines and language Jesse Marsch has used around the various problems on his watch in the past two weeks, there is a very real possibility of only three absentees by the time Southampton visit.
Junior Firpo, Leo Hjelde and Tyler Roberts seem to be the only players with injuries that should almost certainly keep them out of the Saints match. Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, Raphinha, Diego Llorente, Stuart Dallas, Joe Gelhardt and Jamie Shackleton all had their involvement with Wolverhampton Wanderers hampered in some way.
However, Marsch, as of last Friday, has not led any of us to believe they are serious or long-term problems. Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips will also have another two weeks of training under their belt to further bolster their prospects of returning at Elland Road on April 2.
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The upshot is, with the likes of Raphinha and Llorente withdrawing from international duty too, Marsch has some solid time to work with the vast majority of his group on the training pitches for the first time. Llorente is an interesting case.
The Spain international has been troubled for some time by a back spasm issue, according to Marsch. Presumably, that is the issue which kept him out of the Leicester City match recently.
It proved too much for him at Molineux and proved severe enough to withdraw from Luis Enrique’s national team. That will take some rest and treatment during this fortnight.
In the meantime, he could be losing his starting berth for the rest of the campaign. Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw have locked down the midfield pivot, but now face their own battle with Phillips to save their bacon, which turns Robin Koch’s attention to his natural home: central defence.
Koch’s the fully-fit, locked and loaded solution for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side on the right side of Pascal Struijk, while Cooper is gathering sharpness by the day and as club captain, only needs the one chance to wrestle back his shirt. Injury aside, Llorente’s form has been on the wane too.
Under Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch, his missteps have increased in recent weeks, along with what looks like a crash in his confidence, which is not helping Struijk’s form either. The 28-year-old has had several high points in his 18 months with the Whites and at his best looks like a superbly confident, swashbuckling ball-playing defender.
This has not been an easy period for him as the goals-against column has swelled. Some time out of the firing line may be good for him, but based on Koch and Cooper’s ascension, he may not have much say in the matter.
