Jesse Marsch is now suffering many of the injury problems at Leeds United that contributed to Marcelo Bielsa’s downfall earlier in the season. He has not yet had a fully fit squad to choose from during his time at Elland Road and that is showing no signs of changing.
Squad management has now become as important as setting up tactically with the Whites desperately in need of points in their last three games of the season. The fitness of Liam Cooper has become the biggest talking point after he missed both defeats against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Whether or not he will be in the starting XI, or even on the bench, for the visit of Chelsea remains to be seen but here is what Marsch has said about the captain and the rest of the potential absentees going into the game.
Read more: Leeds United, Everton and Burnley's injury lists compared as Toffees hoping for major boost
Liam Cooper – knee
As mentioned, all eyes will be on the potential inclusion of Cooper’s name on the team sheet when it is announced an hour before kick-off against Chelsea. Marsch seemed hopeful in his pre-match press conference that he would have his captain available for selection.
What Marsch said (10/05/22) : “I believe that he trained a bit yesterday and that he’s better and has less pain. I believe he’ll be available for tomorrow.”
Potential return date : 11/05/22 vs Chelsea
Patrick Bamford – foot
Leeds fans will have also been waiting for updates regarding Patrick Bamford’s fitness as his season continues to be taken away from him. There was some good news, although maybe not as good as supporters will have been hoping for.
What Marsch said (10/05/22) : “Patrick Bamford is on the pitch doing individual work, hopefully in team training by the end of the week and doing fairly well. Another one that’s day to day but we’re all monitoring his progress and it’s about on track. We’ll see what that’s like moving forwards but he won’t be available for tomorrow.”
Potential return date : 15/05/22 vs Brighton
Adam Forshaw – knee
To compound the absences of a few other senior players, Adam Forshaw won’t play again for Leeds this season. The fractured knee cap he suffered a couple of weeks ago will have really frustrated him after he made a decent return earlier in the campaign from another lengthy lay-off.
What Marsch has said (22/04/22) : "We had an unfortunate injury with Adam. He took a knock and fractured his knee cap. It’s a six week injury, so that puts him out for the season. By summer, he’ll be back and ready to go."
Potential return date : Next season
Stuart Dallas – leg
Stuart Dallas’ run of starting every Leeds game since returning to the Premier League was broken on Sunday as he missed the Arsenal trip after the femoral fracture he sustained against Man City. He had successful surgery on the injury last week.
What Marsch said (06/05/22) : "I think we can safely say it’ll be six months but it could be longer and I don’t think anyone wants to rush him."
Potential return date : Next season
Tyler Roberts - hamstring
Like Dallas, Forshaw, and other team mates on this list, Tyler Roberts won’t play any further part this season after rupturing a tendon in his hamstring against Leicester. He underwent successful surgery on the injury at the beginning of March.
What Marsch said (31/03/22) : "Tyler is looking good and feeling good and even though he won't be back this season, we feel like the surgery was a success and that he's on the start to a good path."
Potential return date : Next season
Crysencio Summerville – ankle
In the final of the injured Leeds players ruled out for the rest of the campaign, Crysencio Summerville will have to wait for next season to continue his development. Just as it seemed as though he was nearing increased first-team involvement, he twisted his ankle in the build-up to the draw at Crystal Palace.
What Marsch said (06/05/22) : "Picked up an injury in the last training [session] before the Palace match. He twisted his ankle and will be done for the season."
Potential return date : Next season
