OPINION
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom has been left with a forward crisis after the club announced that January signing Tyler Roberts is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
The Whites confirmed on Wednesday that the 19-year-old striker will face an “extender period” out of action after picking up an ankle injury.
He arrived at Elland Road in January to help solve the club’s problems in front of goal, but he is yet to make his debut and is due to see a specialist before a timescale can be placed on his return.
Roberts’ absence is a considerable blow to Leeds and it has left Heckingbottom with the crisis of trying to find enough goals in his side to make a late charge towards the Championship play-offs.
However, the problem could be fixed by turning to versatile attacker Kemar Roofe to provide extra support.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga looks set to be the first-choice striker during the rest of the season, but Leeds need to find some extra support and the manager has often used a two-man attack in the past.
Roofe has endured a frustrating season despite scoring 11 goals across all competitions, but this could be a big turning point for him.
The 25-year-old has been used as both a winger, second striker and a recognised centre-forward already this campaign.
He has impressed whenever given the chance to spearhead the attack and the pacy Englishman can fill the role left open for Roberts.
Roofe could really benefit playing alongside target man and the Whites should bin the notion of him playing out wide, where he can get lost in games and struggle to be a goal threat.