Jesse Marsch has told Friday’s press conference – as per the club’s YouTube – that Leeds United will be without young attacker Sonny Perkins as well as Rodrigo for Sunday’s clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Leeds come into the match after news that top scorer Rodrigo will be sidelined for the next two months with an ankle issue. The player himself has taken to Instagram from his hospital bed, after undergoing surgery on the issue.
But there is a feel-good factor at Elland Road. A good performance against Villa, a draw with West Ham and wins in the FA Cup over Cardiff City and Accrington Stanley. Perkins scored for Leeds to earn a late replay against Cardiff.
So, Leeds will not only be without Rodrigo – but also Perkins, who is believed to have a more minor issue. Marsch also gave updates on Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray, who are all long-term absentees with injury.
“Obviously Rodri, he picked up an injury, it will keep him out 6 to 8 weeks. Adam, we’re building up, not quite ready. Archie is close to back to training, Stuart is making progress. Sonny Perkins picked up something at Accrington.”
Marsch: Leeds will be without Perkins and Rodrigo against Forest
With Rodrigo out, Leeds have a fit-again Patrick Bamford and new signing Georgie Rutter as options up top. The belief was that Leeds would also have Perkins and Mateo Joseph fit – but it now appears Joseph is the only other.
Bamford is injury prone but Marsch made it clear that Bamford is best, physically, than he has ever been since replacing Marcelo Bielsa as manager. Rutter made an eye-catching debut, albeit against Accrington Stanley.
It is likely that Bamford will start against Forest but there is of course, still doubt about whether he is ready to play 90 minutes in the Premier League. It might be that Bamford gets an hour, and then Rutter comes off the bench.
