Marcelo Bielsa will not choose 'easiest path' as Leeds United boss provides details of fresh quadruple injury blow

By Lee Sobot
Published 9th Dec 2021, 15:29 BST
Updated 9th Dec 2021, 15:30 BST
FIVE PLAYERS OUT: But Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, above, says he will not choose the easiest path of using injuries as a justification for performance levels. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.FIVE PLAYERS OUT: But Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, above, says he will not choose the easiest path of using injuries as a justification for performance levels. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.
FIVE PLAYERS OUT: But Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, above, says he will not choose the easiest path of using injuries as a justification for performance levels. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images.
Leeds United have four key players back on the treatment table - but Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa will not use the club's latest injury woes as any kind of excuse.

Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford and Liam Cooper are all nursing hamstring injuries whilst record signing Rodrigo is suffering from bilateral heel pain.

Phillips, Bamford and club captain Cooper all picked up the injuries in last Sunday's Premier League hosting of Brentford in which Bamford had returned from nearly two months out with an ankle issue as a second-half substitute.

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The Whites no 9 bagged a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to seal a 2-2 draw against the Bees but a fresh hamstring issue is now being subject to daily assessment.

Bielsa says the evolution of each injury will determine how long Bamford, Phillips, Cooper and Rodrigo are out for as 15th-placed Leeds prepare to take on four of the division's top seven in their next four games, including all of the Premier League's top three.

Saturday's fixture against title-chasing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be followed by Tuesday night's clash against defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad.

A home date against Arsenal is next, ahead of a Boxing Day trip to Anfield to face Liverpool.

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Bielsa is also still without German international defender Robin Koch who has been ill for the last ten days having overcome the pelvic issue that has kept the 25-year-old out since August.