When Leeds United's injured six could return with Kemar Roofe best placed for Sheffield Wednesday - Leeds Live
Injuries have arguably been the biggest single test for Marcelo Bielsa since he became Leeds United’s head coach.
Several important members of his senior group have been on the sidelines at one time or another, but the biggest blows have all come at the same time in the past two weeks.
The matches against Millwall, Preston North End and Birmingham City have all seen key players missing from the starting line-up and a young array of substitutes selected.
After Saturday’s defeat, the first in the league this season, some fans are growing impatient in their wait for the first-team stars to return.
We take a look through who’s out and when the club hopes they will return.
Kemar Roofe wins the Championship Player of the Month award - Elland Road(Image: Robbie Stephenson/JMP)
Kemar Roofe
The 25-year-old was named the best player in the whole of the Championship for August before promptly missing the subsequent match at Millwall.
On September 13, the last time we had any details from the club, head of medicine and performance Rob Price expected Roofe to be out for another two to three weeks.
If the recovery from the calf injury is on track, this puts Roofe in with a chance of returning at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.
While that is very optimistic, Hull City on Tuesday would be another bonus. If Roofe is not in the running for Brentford next weekend questions will be asked.
Patrick Bamford
Out for four months with a posterior cruciate ligament injury. Not expected to return until mid-January at the earliest.
Patrick Bamford applauds the fans after the match. Championship - Leeds United v Middlesbrough - Friday August 31st 2018 - Elland Road(Image: Alex Dodd/CameraSport)
Pablo Hernandez
On September 13 Price said Hernandez would need four to five weeks because of his hamstring injury.
Four days later, Bielsa said “[Jamie] Shackleton and [Gaetano] Berardi are close to coming back. Roofe and Pablo will need more time.â€
October 10 is four weeks from September 13. Therefore, it looks unlikely the Spaniard will return before the next international break.
Blackburn Rovers away on October 20 looks a logical comeback date.
Britt Assombalonga competes for the ball with Gaetano Berardi during the Championship match between Leeds United and Middlesbrough at Elland Road on August 31, 2018(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Gaetano Berardi
Price said Berardi would be missing for, approximately, three weeks from September 13 with his knee problem.
That prognosis would all but rule the Swiss out of Friday night’s game. The lunchtime clash with Brentford next Saturday may be more realistic.
However, on September 17 Bielsa coupled Berardi with Shackleton, who is now fit, when he summarised how much time each player needed.
Conor Shaughnessy
We are yet to hear anything from Bielsa or Price on Shaughnessy’s condition after he limped off for the under-23 side last week at Thorp Arch.
Izzy Brown poses with a Leeds United shirt after completing a loan move from Chelsea on August 30, 2018(Image: Leeds United)
Izzy Brown
Like Bamford, Brown has been ruled out for the foreseeable future. On September 17, Bielsa said: “It’s been a long time since he played, he still needs to recover.
“He hasn’t started to play with the ball, he hasn’t played football with us so far. It’s impossible to say when he will be fit. It won’t be a short time.â€
