OPINION
Leeds fans will be sweating tomorrow night’s game between Sweden and Slovakia after it was announced that Pontus Jansson has been called up to the squad.
The hugely influential enforcer had been granted leave to stay at home over the international break with his wife expecting a baby.
However, he has now been called up to replace 25-year-old striker Mikael Ishak.
There’s been no word as to whether Jansson’s wife has had the baby yet and it’s a real concern for Leeds fans on two fronts.
Firstly, the game is just a friendly. Surely Jansson could have been granted the leave that would have seen him fully rested for Leeds’ game against Blackburn on Saturday?
Jansson will now fly back on Wednesday and straight back into training for the crucial Championship tie.
Secondly, if his wife hasn’t had the baby yet, that could also be a factor that impacts on Leeds.
It was due over the international break and you would have expected news to have come out if the new baby had arrived.
Jansson has had a slow start to the season but he’s quickly got himself back to top form and is probably playing better than ever now under Marcelo Bielsa.
Leeds can’t afford to be without him, despite the return of Gaetano Berardi, and Leeds fans will be watching tomorrow’s game between their fingers, as well as listening out for any news on the baby front.
All being well Jansson will take his place in the Leeds starting XI on Saturday.