Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia faces a number of difficult fitness calls ahead of the Whites' vital Premier League clash with Southampton at Elland Road this afternoon.
Last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park has ramped the pressure up on this weekend's clash with the Saints. A win sees Leeds move four points ahead of the south coast club, defeat would mean they drop to the bottom of the table.
Gracia will no doubt be looking for a response from his squad when he leads them out at Elland Road, with the home crowd equally hoping for a new manager 'bounce' to help them end their three-month winless streak in the Premier League. Victory over their relegation rivals would drastically lift the mood in West Yorkshire and with just 15 matches left to play this season, these sorts of matches can make all the difference come May.
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As Gracia ponders who to select in his first starting XI for the club, he has a number of fitness concerns to wrap his head around. The Spaniard was tight-lipped when asked for an injury update in his pre-match press conference, but there are still a few knocks being carried among the squad.
Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Rodrigo will not feature in Saturday's game as they continue to recover from long-term injuries. Michael Skubala meanwhile confirmed last week that Sonny Perkins, Liam Cooper and Marc Roca were all close to being available for selection against the Saints.
Pascal Struijk will need to have passed the sufficient concussion protocols following the head injury he suffered against Manchester United in order to feature against Ruben Selles' side. Skubala also confirmed that Luis Sinisterra - another Old Trafford casualty - was "further away" than Cooper and Roca, but that he was progressing well from the muscle injury that he picked up against Man United.
Max Wober is one of the main worries ahead of the game against Southampton after he came off at half-time against Everton with a nasty-looking shoulder injury. The defender has been superb since his arrival in January and Gracia will be eager to have him available as soon as possible.
Full Leeds United squad to face Southampton: Illan Meslier, Joel Robles, Kristoffer Klaesson, Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper*, Max Wober*, Marc Roca*, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood, Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra*, Crysencio Summerville, Sonny Perkins*, Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter.
*Doubts for the match but may still feature.
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