Lingering effects of virus keep Bellusci sidelined for Preston finalé

The 26-year-old has failed to make the match-day 18 for United’s last two games with Bellusci believed to have walked off the training pitch at the Friday training session before the Hull City clash after learning he wasn’t in the side to face the Tigers.

Bellusci again failed to make the 18 for last Saturday’s loss at home to Charlton Athletic and then took to social media this week to produce statistics to argue that defences are more solid with him on the pitch rather than off it.

But now the centre-back is suffering from a virus, though head coach Steve Evans still expects the defender to report back for training on Friday at Thorp Arch.

Speaking at yesterday’s Thorp Arch press conference, Evans revealed: “Beppe has been missing today. He’s had a small virus but this is the virus that has been going through the camp and we hope to see him tomorrow.

“We don’t expect him to be not in tomorrow.”

Asked about Bellusci’s social media post, Evans said: “I have given up believing or reading or doing anything with social media that makes life normal.

“I don’t get involved in it so I don’t read the bad, I don’t read the good and I certainly don’t read the ugly.”

United striker Souleymane Doukara is back available after serving an eight-match ban for biting but Leeds will be without Mustapha Carayol who has got a hamstring injury and is likely to be heading back to parent club Middlesbrough.