Leeds United's 2021/22 campaign has been plagued by injuries to several key players.
Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips are among those who have spent lengthy periods on the sidelines, rehabbing their way back to full fitness over the course of the season.
It is expected Leeds' injury troubles will begin to lessen in the coming weeks with Cooper and Phillips back in light training, and hopes that Bamford will be able to shake off a foot injury.
While that particular international trio have been sorely missed, it has arguably demonstrated which players are indispensable to Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa.
The side has just about coped without Bamford, Cooper, Phillips, Robin Koch and company, in no small part due to the consistency and availability of Stuart Dallas, Raphinha and Illan Meslier.
With no other goalkeeper at the club boasting Premier League experience, considerable responsibility falls upon young Frenchman Meslier's shoulders.
Meanwhile, Dallas has featured at left-back, right-back, central midfield and several other temporary postings within games, plugging gaps left by injured or unavailable players.
Marcelo Bielsa referred to the Northern Irishman in a recent press conference, stating he regularly plays with knocks that would ordinarily keep another player out of action.
His sacrifice is one which has certainly not flown under the radar.
Then there is Raphinha; Leeds' ace in the pack, their wildcard and top scorer. The Brazilian has missed two Premier League fixtures this season - both of which ended in defeat.
Without Raphinha, the Whites' attacking threat is noticeably lessened. He drives the team forward, stirs the Elland Road crowd and crucially maintains his composure when posed with goalscoring opportunities, whether that be from the penalty spot or in open play.
Meslier has not missed a single minute in all competitions this season, while Dallas has played 99.6% of available minutes for Leeds over the past two seasons.
Leeds' decision not to bolster the squad in the January transfer window means they are left with the thinnest group in the Premier League, even without those unavailable.
The great hope is that none of Meslier, Dallas or Raphinha suffer injuries akin to that of their teammates. Without them, Leeds' functionality would undoubtedly be affected.
While there are other members of the squad who are integral in their own right, the aforementioned trio are each of similar importance, for vastly differing reasons.
Maintaining their availability throughout the season will be vital to Leeds' position in the Premier League's final standings this year.
