Cardiff City boss Neil Harris makes Pablo Hernandez admission assessing Leeds United's promotion prospects

CARDIFF CITY boss Neil Harris expects Leeds United to build on Sunday's defeat to his Bluebirds and admits the absence of Pablo Hernandez was a "massive loss" for the Whites.
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Hernandez was forced to miss Sunday's return to Championship action with a setback which was only considered to be minor and Leeds expect the Spaniard to be back in contention for Saturday's hosting of Fulham.

His absence paved the way for United's talented young Wales international Tyler Roberts to start at Cardiff in the no 10 role and Leeds created a host of chances and 17 attempts at goal.

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Yet only three of those efforts were on target and Harris said his side were given a big boost by the news that Hernandez would be missing.

ONE GAME AT A TIME: For Cardiff City boss Neil Harris. Picture by David Davies/PA Wire.ONE GAME AT A TIME: For Cardiff City boss Neil Harris. Picture by David Davies/PA Wire.
ONE GAME AT A TIME: For Cardiff City boss Neil Harris. Picture by David Davies/PA Wire.

The 2-0 defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium saw Marcelo Bielsa's Whites blow the opportunity to move ten points clear in the division's automatic promotion spots with Leeds now second on goal difference to West Brom though still seven points clear of Saturday's visitors Fulham with eight games left.

Asked if he expected Leeds to bounce back and see the job through of sealing promotion to the Premier League, Harris said: "That's down to Leeds United and the staff and the players and the fan base to believe in what they are doing.

"It's one game obviously and I have talked openly about it beforehand in saying that they have been the best team in the league.

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"Obviously Hernandez not playing is a massive loss for them.

"It's a massive boost for us, him not being on the pitch and that's no disrespect to the players that might come in in that position but he's a top player at this level.

"It's one game and it's one game for us.

"My message to my players was we will build on that and Marcelo's message I am sure will be disappointing but they will build on that also."

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