Leeds United will be tasked with ending their London hoodoo as they look to do the double over Fulham on Friday night at Craven Cottage – having beaten Scott Parker’s men 4-3 earlier in the season. Like many other matches, LUTV have posted a short video of their most-recent training session before Friday’s match – and here are three talking points.
No Bamford or Rodrigo
Marcelo Bielsa stated in his press conference on Wednesday that Rodrigo has suffered a muscle injury and while it is not serious, it might prevent him from travelling to Fulham on Friday. It is another case of bad luck for Rodrigo, who has only just returned from a groin problem – which has played a big part in being omitted from the Spain squad.
Another player not seen in the training video – and one overlooked at international level despite reports – is Patrick Bamford. He was replaced by Rodrigo against Chelsea after a knock to the hip. Bielsa seemed more optimistic regarding Bamford – but neither were seen in the training video.
Brief Forshaw glimpse?
Eagle-eyed Leeds fans might have spotted something that has not been seen for the best part of two years. Back in September 2019, Adam Forshaw suffered an innocuous looking hip injury that has since plagued the midfielder – and even seen him become the butt of jokes from Leeds fans on social media, somewhat harshly.
But in the video, with the camera taking in that of Germany international Robin Koch – a Forshaw-like figure brushes past the camera at Thorp Arch just before the players step out to train. Images on Twitter have since slowed the video down, to reveal that it was indeed Forshaw. A return growing closer, then?
Four new-ish faces
While none are brand new, it is nice to see young duo Joe Gelhardt and Niall Huggins both featuring in the video. Gelhardt is yet to make his debut for the club but another excellent performance against Newcastle last time out saw him score and lay on an assist in a 2-1 win. Huggins earned praise from Bielsa in his latest press conference, and made his debut at Arsenal.
Plenty of attention was given to Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi. Neither have featured for the senior side since returning to fitness, but both did play 45 minutes of the Under-23 win over Newcastle.
