A round-up of the latest Leeds United headlines on Wednesday, 28 September.
Leeds United 'itching to put things right' after Brentford defeat
Leeds United will be 'itching to put things right' according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan. The ex-striker told Football Insider the near month long wait for Premier League football will have been like a mini pre-season for Jesse Marsch's side and given them important time to recharge.
“It [the month-long break] works two ways," Whelan said. “I’m sure Jesse Marsch and the coaches are working hard to make sure everything remains intense on the training ground.
“But that match fitness and match sharpness you can only get from Premier League matches. It’s going to feel like another pre-season with the length of time that they’ve been off.
“I’m pretty sure after that defeat against Brentford that the players will be itching to put things right and get back to winning ways. Having a break like this will let the squad recharge and bring some players back who might have been suffering from niggles.”
Sinisterra, Koch challenge, Gnonto's role - what Leeds United learnt from international break
The international break is over and Leeds United’s eyes will be firmly on Sunday’s Premier League outing against Aston Villa at Elland Road. It’s been a long time coming for the Whites, who saw their two games before the international break postponed, but some players have been lucky enough to get game time for their nations over the last week or so.
Here’s a look at a few things we learned during the international break.
The Sinisterra show - Leeds have found themselves a diamond in Luis Sinisterra, that’s clear to see as he continues to shine on both the domestic and international stage. The 23-year-old has scored three goals in all competitions for the Whites and he doubled his tally for the campaign by bagging three more in a Colombia shirt.
Former Leeds United defender 'gutted' as teammate suffers serious injury blow
Ipswich Town defender Leif Davis has revealed he is ‘gutted’ to hear the news that fellow left-back Greg Leigh has suffered a serious injury. Davis made the move to the Tractor Boys from Leeds United in the summer and has been competing with Leigh for a place in the starting XI.
The 22-year-old had been heavily involved in Leeds’ pre-season with a view to competing with Junior Firpo for the left back spot at Elland Road. However, Ipswich were willing to pay circa £1 million for Davis and he therefore made the switch to Suffolk.
Davis has started nine of Ipswich’s 10 league games so far this season, but has often been replaced in games by Leigh. Leigh suffered the injury late on in Ipswich’s recent 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday, but initially it was not thought to be anything serious.
US media deliver verdict on Tyler Adams display in Saudi Arabia draw as Leeds United star criticised
Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams has been criticised for his lack of creativity in the USMNT’s 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. Adams played his second 90 minutes of a disappointing final international break ahead of the World Cup for the States.
USA were defeated 2-0 by Japan on Friday and showed little signs of improvement as they were held to a disappointing draw in Spain against Saudi Arabia, despite the return of Christian Pulisic. Gregg Berhalter’s side were able to muster up just two shots on target throughout the match in what was a lacklustre display.
US outlet MLS provided ratings for each player and claimed that some of Adams’ passing could have been more adventurous given how the game went. “5/10. Adams did what Adams does.
Leeds United boost after international break as stars return with spring in their step
Jesse Marsch could be forgiven for watching the last week’s international games through his fingers. The Leeds United head coach was forced to part with a number of players this month as they linked up with their respective national teams and he will have been keeping a close eye on their performances.
Of course, Marsch will have been keen to see his players excel on the international stage, but he will have been wincing the moment they were involved in a slight scrape for fear of picking up an injury. The Whites are preparing to enter a key period of the Premier League season and the last thing they would want is key men breaking down while away from Thorp Arch.
However, it seems as though those involved for their countries will return to West Yorkshire intact and firing on all cylinders after a successful time away. Leeds haven’t played a game for almost one whole month now and it’s fair to say those internationals within the squad took their opportunity to blow away any cobwebs that may have emerged in that time.
'Animal' - Leeds United star heaped in praise after brace in Colombia comeback win
Leeds United winger Luis Sinisterra has been hailed after his brace from the bench helped Colombia to a 3-2 win over Mexico. Sinisterra was introduced at half time with his side trailing 2-0 but netted twice in quick succession to get Colombia back on level terms.
The 23-year-old scored his first of the night just four minutes after coming on with a bullet header from a Juan Cuadrado corner. He then added a second just three minutes later as he swept home a Jorge Carrascal cutback from inside the area.
Sinisterra has now found the net in each of his last four appearances for club and country, dating back to when he scored Leeds’ equaliser against Everton on his full Premier League debut. The former Feyenoord winger also scored in the Whites’ 5-2 defeat at Brentford, before registering his first international goal against Guatemala at the weekend.
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