OPINION
Jack Clarke appears unlikely to be fit to play for Leeds United in their clash against Bolton this weekend.
The 18-year-old was taken to hospital when he collapsed on the bench during the Whites’ draw with Middlesbrough at the Riverside on February 9, and it seems as though he might be forced to miss the game against Bolton at Elland Road on Saturday.
The Yorkshire Evening Post has reported that Clarke avoided training last week and is only expected to do “light gym work” for the rest of this week in the build-up to the meeting with the Trotters.
Clarke missed the 2-1 win at Swansea last week due to him not training, and even though it is understood that various tests have come back clear, it seems that Marcelo Bielsa is not rushing the youngster back at all and he is more than likely going to miss this weekend’s action.
That is a major blow for Leeds, especially as it was confirmed on Monday that Kemar Roofe is set for a spell on the sidelines with damaged knee ligaments.
That is two attackers that are now not going to play for the Whites when they take on Bolton, which is a must-win game as West Brom and Sheffield United play against each other later in the day on Saturday.
Either the team in second or the team in fourth – or both of them – will drop point at The Hawthorns, which means that Leeds, who have a game in hand, need to pick up all three points.
Roofe and Clarke have both been superb for the Yorkshire giants this term and to be without them should leave the entire Leeds fanbase worried.
Patrick Bamford’s fitness has been a concern all season while Izzy Brown is yet to make a senior appearance since joining the club on loan from Chelsea last season due to his injury issues.
Tyler Roberts has also been injury prone and if he does stay fit, he is bound to struggle to replicate the influence that Roofe and Clarke have both had.
Luckily for Leeds, Bolton are 23rd in the table and have not been in the best of form, although they do have the potential to cause an upset having already beaten West Brom, Bolton and Birmingham this season.
Nothing should be taken for granted and that is why it is a huge blow for Leeds to be without Clarke for yet another week.