Leeds United manager Javi Gracia refused to give too much away regarding his side's injury concerns for the Whites' fifth round FA Cup clash against Fulham on Tuesday night. However, it is thought that the trip to the capital will come too soon for both Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper.
Leeds will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when they take on Marco Silva's side at Craven Cottage. Victories over Cardiff City and Accrington Stanley in the previous rounds have now set up an all Premier League tie, with the winner progressing to the quarter-finals.
It has been nearly 20 years since Leeds last reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and Gracia knows just how much of a morale boost a run in the competition can be. The former Watford boss led the Hornets to the final of the competition in 2019 and the Spaniard now finds himself just two games away from another potential return to Wembley.
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Premier League survival is of course the priority, but momentum across all competitions will help to galvanize the squad in their battle against relegation.
Ahead of kick-off, Gracia refused to give away too much in terms of an update on the injury concerns within his squad as he spoke to the media during his pre-match press conference.
"You know I don't like to speak too much about injured players," he said. "In this moment we are in the same situation. The players who were available in the last game, will be available for this one. In this case, [Sam] Greenwood will be suspended."
Rodrigo, who has been absent with an ankle injury that he suffered in the win over Accrington Stanley, is still some way off. But Gracia did admit that the forward is working hard to get back to full fitness.
He added: "I can seem him doing well and working in the gym."
Despite Gracia's refusal to comment further, our chief club writer Beren Cross understands that both Struijk and Cooper will be absent for the game against Fulham.
Struijk's concussion symptoms of blurred vision took longer to go than anticipated and although he is now fine, he will not be rushed back. Meanwhile Cooper is not quite ready to return action so will also sit out of the trip to Craven Cottage.
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