Leeds United suffered yet another injury blow in the U23s’ 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday evening as Joe Gelhardt limped off in the first half. Gelhardt was withdrawn around 10 minutes before the half time break clutching the back of his left thigh.
The 19-year-old was starting for the Young Whites for the first time since December in order to boost his match fitness after recent niggly injury troubles. He could now be set for a spell on the sidelines at the worst possible time for Leeds with Patrick Bamford set to miss the next six weeks.
It was a crucial victory for Andrew Taylor’s U23s outfit in their quest to avoid relegation from Premier League Two Division One. Crysencio Summerville was the difference between the two sides as he continued his excellent form for the Leeds youngsters with a superb hattrick, while Stuart McKinstry also netted in the second half to cap a fine evening.
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Here is how fans have been reacting to the result, Summerville’s brilliance and Gelhardt’s injury.
@Jack_T_92: “Gelhardt our only real nine as a backup for Bamford. Why is he playing for the U23s? Course he gets injured.”
@AllLeedsArentWe: “If Gelhardt couldn’t come through one half of a 23s game he certainly wasn’t ready to start a Prem game. Swear quite a few times he’s played he’s held the back of his leg shortly after coming on.”
@JordanBucknall: “Can’t get my head around Gelhardt playing for the 23s.”
@willsd1972: “Can’t believe they played Gelhardt, that was asking for trouble.”
@ronalleeds: “What more does Summerville need to do – for me he’s the most promising of the u23s – deserves to be one of the first off the bench at this stage.”
@thomas_wilson95: “Summerville is too good for PL2 level.”
@bielsa_b: “There’s no way Summerville doesn’t start properly creeping into our senior team, that’s the one thing about the owners saying they want to use the youth more next season.”
@Ash_LUFC_: “Summerville has to play more! He’s too good, big season for him next season.”
