Leeds United caretaker manager Michael Skubala has confirmed that Pascal Struijk will be back for the Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday. However, he admitted that both Marc Roca and Liam Cooper will be "touch and go", while Luis Sinisterra is still not ready to return.
Leeds take on the Toffees this weekend in what is a vital game for both clubs in their bid to avoid relegation this season. Everton sit one point below Leeds in 18th place, meaning a win for the Whites would stretch their gap to Sean Dyche's side to four points.
Skubala will be looking to record a top-flight win with Leeds for the first time since November as he has been handed the task of leading the team for their "upcoming fixtures". A permanent head coach will still very much be on the club's radar, yet the short-term focus is on picking up three points this weekend.
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Ahead of kick-off, Skubala gave an update on the fitness levels of a number of players and although many are on their way back to first-team action, there are still several issues in the squad.
"So we've we've still got the long term ones that we're trying to work hard on to get back fit," Skubala said. "We've got Pascal [Struijk] back in training after he had a concussion, so he's back in training today which is a positive.
"Liam Cooper and Marc Roca are touch and go, not far [away]. So we could we could see them maybe on Saturday, but we don't take any risks with any players and I definitely don't want to take any risks with any players in this moment. But there's another couple that could be back.
"We've got Sonny Perkins back on the pitch, which is nice to see. So yeah, we're slowly getting some strength back in the squad which is really pleasing."
Skubala also gave an update on Sinisterra ahead of this weekend, admitting that the Everton clash will come too soon for the Colombian.
He added: "He [Sinisterra] had a pulled muscle. He is on his way back, a bit further away than Liam [Cooper] and Marc [Roca], but he is progressing nicely."
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