‘Growing hope’… Leeds becoming confident that they will be able to sell 27-year-old this month

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The left-back position is set to undergo major surgery this month at Leeds United with incomings expected, after Sam Byram’s latest injury – and there is an update on Junior Firpo’s future at Leeds.

Firpo, 27, came on and impressed on Monday after 20 minutes, with Byram picking up another injury. The latter’s super start on return to Leeds has been dogged over the last couple of frustrating months.

Firpo got two assists as Leeds ran out 3-0 winners over Birmingham City, ultimately proving to be the final straw for Wayne Rooney – who was sacked on Tuesday. Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz was impressed.

But like many Leeds players at the moment, Firpo finds himself in a position where his future is unclear. Real Betis have been linked. Firpo of course, played for Betis before Barcelona. Marc Roca is there.

His latest display might have tempted Farke to keep him – but his two and a half years at Leeds have not gone as he, or Leeds, will have hoped. Now, Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that he could depart.

“There’s growing hope that Junior Firpo will leave on a permanent. That’s being looked at along with ones like Marc Roca. So Leeds are definitely looking to open things up a bit in the new year,” Jones said.

“But I think that the left-back role is one they should really be focusing on at the moment just in case it becomes a weak spot that causes some trouble in the second half of the season,” the journalist added.

Leeds growing confident that Junior Firpo will be sold this month

While Firpo has failed at Leeds – partly because of his lack of defensive quality, partly because of bad luck with injury – it would be silly to sell him now. That is, unless Leeds are planning on making a signing.

Byram cannot be relied upon. He is a right-footed, injury-prone player. Djed Spence is a right-back. Jamie Shackleton can do a job but again, right-footed. Stuart Dallas is still not yet back in team training.

Until Leeds make a new signing on the left of the defence, the Whites have got to keep Firpo at Elland Road. Certainly, after his performance on Monday. He is likely to start against Peterborough on Sunday.