Gaetano Berardi is a “major doubt” for Leeds United’s Championship clash against Millwall on Saturday, according to Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent delivered a pessimistic update on the Swiss defender in an exchange with a supporter on Twitter on Monday night.
Hay explained that Berardi is suffering from a knee problem that is “not major” but he faces a race against time to be back in action for the trip to the New Den this weekend.
it's a knee problem for him. Not major but he's a doubt for Millwall.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) September 10, 2018
OPINION
It would be a blow to United if Championship ever-present Berardi fails to make Saturday’s trip to the team who set Leeds on their downhill spiral this time last year. The one-time Switzerland international has started all six of the side’s league fixtures under Marcelo Bielsa and is playing the best football of his career after adapting superbly to the new manager’s demands in a new centre-back role. Berardi has thrived alongside Liam Cooper and upon the responsibility of a more front-foot style of play in which there is less cover in front of him if things go wrong. The Swiss is renowned for his teak-tough playing style and willingness to put his body on the line, but he left Elland Road on crutches after their goalless draw against Middlesbrough and is now facing a race to make it to Millwall. Bielsa will be very keen, as will United fans, that he is given the all-clear.