For the second time in as many weekends, Junior Firpo was withdrawn early from Leeds United’s trip to the London Stadium.
This time, the match had a much better ending with the Whites coming away 3-2 victors but the Spaniard played even less of the match.
Halfway through the first half against West Ham, he looked to be struggling and had begun to clutch his hamstring.
As Adam Forshaw left the pitch with an almost identical knock at the same time, Firpo tried to carry on but lasted less than 60 seconds. He was then replaced by Leo Hjelde who turned in another impressive performance against a lively Hammers frontline.
The injury didn’t look a particularly severe one to the naked eye but, as Leeds fans know, hamstring injuries can often lead to lengthy lay-offs.
After the match, the former Barcelona left-back promised those supporters that he was determined to come back stronger from his latest set-back on Twitter.
He wrote: “Well deserved win today, amazing performance from the team! Very happy for you @Harrison_Jack11, no one else deserves this more than you.
“Also, sad about the injury, I will work very hard to come back stronger!”
With the already-limited options in the full-back department at Elland Road, Bielsa will be praying that Firpo is able to return in the next couple of weeks.
If he isn’t, then Hjelde or Stuart Dallas are likely to deputise on the left-hand side of the defence but, if the latter is chosen as back up then it will stretch resources in the midfield.
Leeds were already light on central midfielders going into the season and they are rumoured to be on the hunt for another one during the current transfer window.
However, much to the supporters’ frustration, there has no movement as of yet and considering the fact that Kalvin Phillips and Forshaw are both injured, a lack of investment over the next fortnight could prove extremely costly.
