Leeds United receive huge Rodrigo boost ahead of Premier League showdown against Arsenal

United's recently acquired Spanish international attacking midfielder was forced to miss the home clash against Leicester City at the beginning of the month following close contact with a family member who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

The Spaniard then revealed that he had tested positive for the virus and would have to self isolate forcing him to miss both United's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace and also Spain's November internationals.

But Rodrigo's period of self isolation is over and the 29-year-old is now back in training at Thorp Arch with the record signing taking to his Instagram account on Tuesday to update his fans.

The playmaker posted a video story of himself sat down preparing to train accompanied by the post of 'work' and the Spaniard is now back available for Sunday's Elland Road showdown against the Gunners which is a 4.30pm kick-off live on Sky.

Rodrigo’s return comes at a time when Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa and his medical staff are set to assess United’s returning internationals as well as rapidly rising England star Kalvin Phillips.

United were hit with the news that Phillips could be looking at around six weeks out with a shoulder injury in the aftermath of the 1-0 loss at home to Wolves on October 19.

Head coach Bielsa then insisted that in actual fact the period that Phillips would be out for was “undefined” – that the timescale could be shorter or longer – and Phillips then said at the end of October that he hoped to be back in three to four weeks.

The injury has meant Phillips being forced to miss England’s November internationals and Gareth Southgate’s side will take in their final Nations League game on Wednesday evening when they face Iceland at Wembley.

As well as Rodrigo, United’s fellow Spanish international Diego Llorente was also forced to miss out on international duty with a groin issue that has prevented the centre-back from yet making his Whites debut.

And Leeds will also check on the condition of Gjanni Alisoki who left the North Macedonian international camp early due to swelling on his hamstring.

Alioski played the full game of Thursday night’s Euro 2020 qualifiers play-offs final in Georgia which booked North Macedonia their first ever place at a major international tournament next summer after a 1-0 victory.

The 28-year-old was then suspended for Sunday’s Nations League clash at home to Estonia, after which head coach Igor Angelovski said Alioski had been unable to complete Saturday’s training session due to swelling on a hamstring.

Angelovski said Alioski was feeling some discomfort and that his side did not want to take any risk meaning Alioski would consequently not travel with the rest of the squad to Cyprus for Wednesday's Nations League clash against Armenia and instead return to Leeds.

United could have five other players in international action on Tuesday and Wednesday night as part of the final fixtures of the November internationals.

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Thank you Laura Collins