LEEDS UNITED INJURY NEWS: JAVI GRACIA ISSUES WILLY GNONTO UPDATE WHILE WORRYING ANOTHER STAR MAY BE OUT FOR SEASON

Javi Gracia has provided all the latest Leeds United injury news at his press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s match against Arsenal – and some of it is concerning.

During the international break, some issues arose for a few members of the Leeds squad. For example, Willy Gnonto had to return from his duties with Italy early after an ankle injury. Furthermore, Max Wober failed to come out of his involvement with Austria unscathed.

Neither of them will be able to feature against Arsenal. Losing Gnonto could be a particularly tough blow, because he has been one of their most exciting attackers in recent weeks.

The decreasing number of available players won’t help Gracia in preparation for a game against the current Premier League leaders. Indeed, he has described some of the injuries as a “big problem” for his own side.

Gracia told a press conference: “Sometimes it’s good because you see your players enjoying with the national team, scoring goals, getting results, this is the positive part.

“But in the last international break we had some big problems for us. We lost important players for the next games and we’ll see because it’s a big problem for us.”

Perhaps the biggest blow for Leeds is that USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has had to undergo surgery on a hamstring injury.

Gracia cannot yet commit to whether Adams will be able to add any more appearances in his debut campaign with the club.

The manager said: “Tyler, we’ll see. After this surgery we’ll see if he can play any games this season. We’ll see day by day.

“The rest of the players, Max Wober, Willy Gnonto, they have different injuries, hamstring injury and ankle injury. They need time to cover and they are out of the team.”

Javi Gracia worried but optimistic about Leeds United injury news

Asked how much of a worry that is, Gracia replied: “I have to be worried about it because they are important players for us and we don’t have a big squad.

“We have to look for the solutions but to be honest I am positive, I am optimistic and most important is that I believe in all my squad and all the players I have.”

In terms of when Gnonto and Wober might be back, Gracia said: “No, I’m sorry but I cannot clarify because I don’t know.

“What I know is they are out for this game and I don’t know if it will be more time, one week more, two weeks more, I cannot tell you.

“Gnonto is an ankle, Max is a hamstring.”

Leeds’ game against Arsenal will take place at the Emirates Stadium with a 3pm kick off on April 1.

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2023-03-30T16:33:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd