Forty-five minutes across Leeds United’s last four matches sums up the frustration around Wilfried Gnonto’s deployment in recent weeks. The Italy international came back from the March break with an ankle injury which ruled him out of the Arsenal trip, but he hasn’t started any of the three games since.
The 19-year-old has been considered fit enough for the bench, but has been kept there by Javi Gracia despite his undoubtedly transformational impact this season. Monday night did not see Gnonto’s introduction until the 77th minute, when Leeds were already 5-1 down.
There is every possibility Gnonto is still managing his ankle issue, but there has been no sign of limping or a half-hearted effort in his warm-ups or his cameos. Gracia has not commented on Gnonto’s fitness situation, but the Spaniard was asked directly if, with hindsight, he could have gone with Gnonto during United’s brief moment in the ascendancy at 2-1.
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“In that moment, the players were, in my opinion, playing well and there was, in that moment, I don't remember well the minute it was, but the half-time was very close,” he said. “We had time to do many changes in the half-time.
“We decided don't do it, but in that moment, Luis [Sinisterra] scored the goal. All the players were playing [well]. It was a boost for all of them because they have the energy to continue playing, but I decided to make changes later.”
The Whites are next in action on Saturday when they visit Fulham in the 12.30pm kick-off at Craven Cottage. All eyes will be on whether Gracia does finally restore Gnonto to the starting line-up off the back of two awful results for the club.
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