Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom has delivered a crucial update on the injury suffered by Pablo Hernandez against Derby on Wednesday, admitting that the outlook was ‘not great.’
Heckingbottom revealed that Hernandez had hurt his groin, and admitted further frustration after the injury came just as he was about to withdraw Hernandez from the action in the 2-2 draw.
The Leeds manager reports that Hernandez is set for assessment by the club’s medical staff, and admitted that it was unlikely he would be fit to face Brentford on Saturday.
Heckingbottom was quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Lee Sobot on Twitter on Thursday morning:
Paul Heckingbottom on Pablo Hernandez injury last night: "He just felt his groin a little bit at the end. The frustrating thing is, we were just about to bring him off anyway so I'm hoping it's not too bad. But we'll have to assess him and see." #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) February 22, 2018
Heckingbottom on chances of Hernandez being fit for Brentford: "I'm not ruling him out but usually when you come off with a muscle injury it's usually not great and you are going to be out for a few days minimum so we'll have to see how he is." #lufc
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) February 22, 2018
Hernandez limped off after 76 minutes against Derby, and Leeds were to take the lead just three minutes later through Ezgjan Alioski, who was brought on to replace him.
The Whites looked on course for an important win that would have put them back in the hunt for a play-off spot, but were denied by a last-gasp equaliser from Kasey Palmer.
OPINION
Hernandez’s injury will add insult to injury as Heckingbottom was denied his first win as Leeds boss by a last-minute sucker punch. The Spaniard has been in great form for the Whites in recent weeks, and looked so again v Derby. However, the return of Samu Saiz, who set up Leeds’ second, is a big bonus, and should mitigate accordingly for Hernandez’s absence.