Leeds United receive worrying news as star player a mystery absence on international duty

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Leeds United star Junior Firpo is currently with The Dominican Republic ahead of two friendlies against Puerto Rico during the March break, but mystery has emerged over the left-back.

One of 16 players on Leeds United’s books currently involved with their country during the break, Firpo is in excellent form and Daniel Farke will be desperate he returns without injury given his injury record.

Two of those 16 were in action on Wednesday night. Charlie Crew earned the praise of Wales fans even if he captained Wales’ U19 side to a 2-0 defeat to England. Sam Chambers scored for Scotland’s U19’s.

Firpo was set to be in action at midnight on Friday night in the first of The Dominican Republic’s two friendlies against Puerto Rico, but a report has emerged from a source close to boss Marcelo Neveleff.

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Junior Firpo mystery emerges while on Dominican Republic duty

According to Dominican outlet El Nacional, Leeds left-back Firpo will be missing for Friday’s clash against Puerto Rico. The report makes it unclear as to why Firpo will not be in action, having been set to do so.

It comes as a worry with Leeds and Farke in the red-hot heat of the automatic promotion race back in Yorkshire. Leeds fans are more than aware of Firpo’s injury record, arguably Leeds’ most in-form player.

There is a possibility that perhaps, Leeds have spoken with The Dominican Republic and Neveleff and asked that Firpo is only involved in one of the two games given the fixtures are only friendlies.

Player Marcelo Bielsa tried to sign will also miss Friday clash

The report states that Firpo is not the only Dominican Republic star to miss the game on Friday. Indeed, former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz will also be absent – having been recalled to the National Team.

While at Real Madrid, Bielsa is said to have asked Leeds to sign Diaz. A player that played back-up to Karim Benzema while at Madrid but rarely started, despite scoring more than 20 goals in a year at Lyon.

Diaz has remained a free agent since his release from Victor Orta’s Sevilla at the end of the 2023-24 season and yet, Diaz has got the call-up. But the report states Diaz and Firpo will miss Friday’s outing.