The expectation surrounding Luis Sinisterra was always going to be high. The Colombia international was seen as the man chosen to replace the outgoing Raphinha last summer and his performances at the start of the season were enough to get Leeds United fans very excited about what was to come.
Sinisterra bagged three goals in all competitions inside the first month of the season, with efforts coming against Barnsley, Everton and Brentford and he terrorised Arsenal in a fine display against the Gunners at Elland Road in October. However, the 23-year-old has been unable to showcase his talents to the Elland Road crowd on a consistent basis with injuries well and truly blighting his first season in the Premier League.
Two hamstring complaints and a Lisfranc issue have restricted him to just eight league starts for the Whites so far and just one of those has come since October. As such, it’s been a season of real frustration for both the winger and those fans who had him earmarked as the man to help push the Whites up the table as the season progressed.
Read more: Stuart Dallas' 'outside chance' as injury update provided on Leeds United defender
However, Sinisterra has returned to fitness this month and as Leeds prepare to emerge from the international break, he’ll be striving to use the next two months as an opportunity to finally turn his luck around, find some traction and make his mark with the Whites.
Javi Gracia is yet to name Sinisterra in his starting XI. He was one of several high profile names in the treatment room when Gracia arrived at the club in February and his return to the side has been nothing short of tentative.
The Spaniard gave him a fleeting cameo in the draw against Brighton and Hove Albion at Elland Road, but he was left on the bench at Wolves, as he opted against risking him in such an ill-tempered and edgy contest. He will be more than aware of the talent he possesses, though, and the clips he will have watched of the winger from the opening couple of months of the season will have had him salivating at the thought of bringing him into his line-up in time for the run-in.
How Gracia intends to use him over the remainder of the season is unknown at this stage. Jack Harrison’s turnaround in form under the Spaniard seems to have cemented his spot in the side for the time being, while the head coach has used Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto in wide positions, too, during his first four games in charge.
The sprained ankle Gnonto picked up on international duty with Italy on Sunday night might just open the door for the Colombian to step into the line-up at the Emirates Stadium this weekend, though. Sinisterra will hope to use the international break to full effect in a bid to get himself right, and if he’s considered to be fit enough, he could be a leading candidate to start against the Gunners.
Whether Gracia opts for him this weekend or not, though, the 52-year-old will be keen to see his former Feyenoord man play a vital role for the Whites as the season progresses. Games will be coming thick and fast through April and May and Leeds, who sit just two points above the drop, will be feeling the pressure.
However, if Sinisterra can start to put together a run of games and find the electric form he showed at the beginning of the campaign, he might just prove to be the difference maker Leeds need in the battle against the drop.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United change of tack paying dividends following reluctant stance under Marcelo Bielsa
Wilfried Gnonto injury latest as Roberto Mancini comments ahead of his Leeds United return
Wilfried Gnonto has already set a transfer precedent that Leeds United can take comfort from
Sonny Perkins injury admission made as Leeds United youngster sees England U19s impact limited
Leeds United's Leo Hjelde opens up Rotherham United life, Marcelo Bielsa and misfortune
