Manager confirms injury fears about Leeds star as Javi Gracia suffers another blow

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Roberto Mancini has given an injury update on Leeds United star Willy Gnonto and it is not good news, confirming that the Italy star has suffered an ankle sprain while representing his country in a 2-0 win over Malta on Sunday.

Prior to the break, Leeds themselves confirmed that Tyler Adams had picked up a hamstring injury. It would see the USA skipper fail to travel during the break with his country for fixtures against Grenada – a 7-1 win – and El Salvador.

He is a doubt for Saturday’s clash against Arsenal. Then, on Friday night, Max Wober was subbed off on 34 minutes having picked up an issue in his left thigh. The severity of that issue remains unclear. Austria face Estonia tonight.

Now, a third blow. Gnonto had made a substitute appearance in the 2-1 loss to England in Naples. On Sunday night, Mancini handed him a start against Malta. But just 22 minutes into the game – he was removed from the field of play.

Indeed, Gnonto went over in the penalty area as he tried to twist and turn his way past defenders. It saw him roll his ankle – with the pitch certainly questionable. Gianluca Di Marzio said it was probably a sprain, suffered by Gnonto.

Now, Mancini confirmed Di Marzio’s fears – as per TMW: “Gnonto is struggling with a sprain, let’s hope it’s nothing.” An ankle sprain may see Gnonto remain on the sidelines for a couple of weeks, which comes as another huge blow.

Mancini gives injury update on Leeds star Gnonto, confirms reports

A sprain is certainly not the end of the world, but it is hardly good news either. Especially, considering the injuries sustained by Adams and Wober. It might be that Adams has recovered from his hamstring issue in time for Saturday.

But, and more likely, it will take some time to rest. It will also be interesting to see if Wober is involved tonight as Austria take on Estonia. Hopefully, not. Given time to recover. Gnonto will be on his way back to Leeds this week.

Three of Leeds most-important players. But if they were going to miss one game, perhaps Arsenal away – a game in which was always going to be a difficult one – is not the end of the world. Getting fit for Forest, is more important.