Leeds United boss Heckingbottom confirms Hernandez likely to miss season finale

The midfielder travelled home yesterday with his wife due to give birth today and he looks could be absent from Sunday’s final Championship match against Queens Park Rangers.

Hernandez, who won the YEP’s player-of-the-year award this week and is an overwhelming favourite to receive the club’s official award tonight, has sat out of just four league games all term and was one goal away from hitting 10 for the campaign.

Hernandez told the YEP: “We are very happy. It’s good news and another boy in the family.

“We tried to expect the baby one week later because I wanted to play the last game but we had some problems in the beginning and the doctor says it is better not to wait.”

Hernandez’s form recently earned him a new two-year contract at Elland Road and head coach Paul Heckingbottom has repeatedly singled him out as the most influential player during his short spell in charge.

Heckingbottom granted him permission to return to Spain with nothing rest on United’s meeting with QPR.

Leeds kick off on Sunday in 14th place and can finish no higher than 12th in the table. QPR are in 15th, a point behind.

Heckingbottom said: “Pablo’s flown there because his wife’s due to have the baby today. We’re hoping things go well for mother and baby and we get some good news this afternoon or this evening.”