Hopes remain high for Leeds United’s injury list to evaporate before Manchester City arrive at Elland Road in 12 days. Jack Harrison was the latest concern added to the lengthening medical list on Friday before the match.
Wilfried Gnonto was an 11th-hour replacement for the winger, who had felt tightness in the warm-up and did not see sense in risking himself on a friendly. Rene Maric allayed fears about Harrison when he faced the media post-match.
“It's a phase of pre-season that's unusual in winter, where there are situations where you opt out of going into risk,” he said. “So, Jack is not injured and he could have pushed to play, but why should we risk it 12 days before Man City?
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“He might make something that maybe risks something for the training process towards Man City or even the game. If you can take him out today and train properly the next day [it’s far less of a risk].”
Nine other members of the senior squad had been absent from the unit Jesse Marsch named on Friday evening. Tyler Adams is understood to be a case of managed minutes after his World Cup exertions, while Stuart Dallas and Luis Sinisterra are known long-term cases.
Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Robin Koch, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville and Diego Llorente are all thought to remain in with a chance of making the City clash on December 28. Maric was happy to specify Llorente’s bold chances, but spoke more generally about others.
“That's very individual and also it's a little bit just looking at the progress,” he said. “They have a good chance to be ready for Man City, but obviously, it's not sure [because] it's 12 days to go.
“We have to look into the process, but especially with Diego Llorente, I'm pretty sure he'll be ready.”
On Summerville, Maric said: “We’re hoping he can start training within the next week and from there it's day to day also.”
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