Raphinha is missing from Leeds United’s squad at Wolverhampton Wanderers after testing positive for Covid-19. The Brazil international has started the last five matches on the bounce for the Whites and was showing signs of his best form in Sunday’s win over Norwich City.
However, Jesse Marsch will have to make do without his talismanic forward at Molineux this evening. While the general public is no longer required to self-isolate if they test positive, Premier League rules state players with positive tests are not available for selection.
"He's Covid positive right now," Marsch told Sky Sports before kick-off. "We didn't find out until after our press conference yesterday. It's obviously unfortunate for him with us right now and with the national team but hopefully, he won't stay positive for long."
The development means Raphinha’s prospects of flying away with Brazil are cast in doubt with matches scheduled for March 24 and March 30. Jack Harrison is the man Marsch has chosen to replace Raphinha in the XI which began Sunday’s win over Norwich.
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The last squad Raphinha was absent from came at Tottenham Hotspur last November.