Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Monday, April 3.
Jose Mourinho singles out Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente
Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente has been singled out by AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho after he praised the defender for his role in their 3-0 win over Sampdoria.
Llorente raised eyebrows when he completed a late loan move to Roma in the January transfer window. The deal, which is thought to include an option-to-buy for the Italian side, has not been the most productive one for the Leeds loanee.
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That was until this weekend when the 29-year-old starred for Roma in their 3-0 win over Sampdoria. It was his first full 90 minutes for the Serie A side and after the game Mourinho could not help but pick him out as his player of the match.
"Diego Llorente also played very well with [Chris] Smalling in a four-man defence," he told DAZN. "He worked really well during the [international] break, and as a manager that’s what really struck me about today: Llorente’s performance."
Llorente himself has also recently opened up about his decision to move to Italy, admitting that he did not need any convincing to make the move.
"It’s always nice to hear the words of the manager towards me," Llorente said upon hearing Mourinho's comments. "When Mourinho called me, I thought it was a unique opportunity. I immediately said yes. I’m working hard to be important for Roma."
Javi Gracia provides Leeds United injury update ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Javi Gracia has provided his latest injury update as he prepares his Leeds United side to host relegation rivals Nottingham Forest at Elland Road tomorrow night.
The Whites will try to bounce back from their 4-1 defeat to league leaders Arsenal over the weekend, which saw them drop down to 17th in the Premier League table.
Key stars Max Wober and Wilfried Gnonto suffered separate injuries over the recent international break, while Tyler Adams underwent surgery over the period on his thigh. Gracia was typically tight-lipped at this afternoon's press conference to avoid giving anything away to Steve Cooper and his staff.
"About injured players, I prefer not to say anything. You know that our situation isn't good about injured players, and all the medical staff and injured players are working really hard to recover as soon as possible.
Read what he had to say in full right here.
Nottingham Forest's dismal away record ahead of crucial Leeds United clash
Nottingham Forest travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United with the joint-worst away record in the Premier League.
The Tricky Trees have collected just one win and amassed six points on the road this season. Only West Ham have equalled their dismal away record, although Forest have scored a mere four goals away from the City Ground, and leaked 32 goals.
Steve Cooper's side have been reliant on their home form as they aim to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Forest have earned 21 of their 27 points at the City Ground and went nine home games unbeaten in the Premier League prior to their 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United before the international break.
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