Leeds have endured a pretty dismal international break with Max Wober and Willy Gnonto picking up injuries and now, USA manager Anthony Hudson has told a press conference that Weston McKennie is suffering with the flu.
McKennie, 24, lasted until the 92nd minute on Monday night as USA picked up a narrow 1-0 win over El Salvador. It was the on-loan Leeds star that created the moment of difference – his superb pass finding Ricardo Pepi to score.
It comes after the Leeds ace scored twice in a 7-1 win last week over Grenada. A game in which Brenden Aaronson also netted. Success for the American duo then, while Wober has a hamstring issue, and Gnonto rolled his ankle.
But now, McKennie could be a doubt despite lasting almost the entire match on Monday night. That is because boss Hudson confirmed that McKennie has the flu – and while he lasted the game, stayed away from giving him a hug.
“He had a little bit of a fever tonight,” Hudson said. “Coming off, I went to give him a hug but I refrained myself from getting anywhere near him because he’s struggling. He was struggling a little bit tonight, flu-wise, but he did it.”
USA manager says Leeds star McKennie suffering with the flu
The fact he lasted an entire 92 minutes for his country on Monday night is a positive sign that McKennie will be fine when we take on Arsenal this weekend. However, it is a slight concern for a player that Leeds will need to rely on.
Indeed, the hamstring injury to Tyler Adams is beginning to sound a whole lot worse than first feared. Unconfirmed reports on social media are suggesting that Adams has had an operation – but nothing has been announced yet.
Either way, Adams looks likely to be missing against Arsenal and he could be missing for a considerable amount of time more. If that is the case, then Leeds need McKennie to be fit going into a busy run of Premier League games.
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