Rosler believes a fully fit Murphy could be their missing link
BY JAMES O'ROURKE ON AUG 15, 2015 CHAMPIONSHIP, LEEDS UNITED
Leeds United will soon reap the benefits once creative midfielder Luke Murphy is 100% fit according to manager Uwe Rosler. Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Rosler believes that the former Crewe man will be a key man for his side this season.
25-year-old Murphy made his comeback from an injury sustained in pre-season in Thursday night’s penalty shootout defeat to local rivals Doncaster Rovers in the Capital One Cup. Whilst Rosler acknowledges his player isn’t 100% fit just yet, he fully expects him to have a major impact,
“Since I came to the club, it has been important to set out how we want to play. Luke has a big role to play in that. When he is 100 per cent fit, he will add some qualities to us. You could see that against Doncaster.â€
Murphy, who is now in his third full season with the Elland Road club, was recently handed a new four-year contract with the club. Rosler expects Murphy to make an instant impact to the side once ready to start,
“He sometimes calms us down. We can’t play all the time at the same tempo when we have the ball and when we don’t have the ball. Our conversion rate in passes has to be better. He has that sort of football intelligence. Luke will be a very important player for us. We showed that by giving him a four-year contact. He is one of our key players.â€
There is the possibility of Murphy making his first start since last season in Sunday’s trip to Reading. With Rosler admitting he’ll only improve his match fitness with game time, there is the strong chance Murphy could be given the nod from the start. Despite the hectic fixture schedule coming up, Rosler insists his squad can cope and he isn’t prepared to make any excuses,
“This week, we had to make sacrifices. Both to ourselves, to our wives and our kids. We have to live 24/7 as a professional. We are up for the challenge. My players are professional and we will be ready.â€
Believe Leeds can get back to winning ways at Reading? They can be backed at 3/1 to do so, with a Reading victory available at 7/8 and the draw being 19/8. Click here to check out all of the available betting opportunities for tomorrows match at the Madejski Stadium.