Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom has revealed that Conor Shaughnessy and Tyler Roberts are both set for lengthy spells on the sidelines through injury.
Young defender Shaughnessy will however not require surgery on the ankle injury he suffered against Hull City on the 30th of January.
Striker Roberts, who was a £2.5million January signing from West Bromwich Albion, may still require an operation on his shin injury suffered in training, but will continue to be monitored in the coming days.
Both starlets are expected to be out for a long period of time with their respective injuries, and it remains a possibility that they will miss the rest of the season.
Heckingbottom was speaking in the pre-match press conference for their clash v Brentford on Saturday, and was quoted by BBC journalist Adam Pope on Twitter:
PH on Tyler Roberts & Conor Shaughnessy injuries. The latter will not need an operation. Roberts may not need one but is being assessed continually. Lengthy lays off for both though. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 23, 2018
It was initially thought that Shaughnessy may require surgery on his ankle injury, which looked to be a similar one to that suffered by Luke Ayling which ruled the right-back out for the campaign.
OPINION
The loss of Roberts is a big blow for Leeds, who have high hopes for the former West Brom striker. Shaughnessy has filled in well when called upon this season, and with the Leeds defence being so poor recently, his loss will also be a blow. Elsewhere, Leeds must win against Brentford at Elland Road this weekend to have any chance of making the play-offs.