OPINION
Leeds fans will surely be sweating on the fitness of Pablo Hernandez, after the attacker was spotted in a protective boot after the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday.
It will bring back memories of the injury to Kemar Roofe, who was also spotted in a protective boot before missing seven games ahead of his return from the bench on Saturday.
One Leeds fan put the photo on Twitter on Saturday evening with the message “No… Just no”, and it would be a massive blow if Hernandez was missing for any of the six remaining games.
Some hope was provided by a report in the Yorkshire Evening Post on Monday that said the club were confident he would be available for the game against Preston on Tuesday. The YEP claims his foot was put in the protective boot as a precaution ahead of more detailed examinations.
Until Hernandez is passed fit though, Leeds fans won’t be able to rest.
No…. just no #LUFC pic.twitter.com/xvxPLZMjun
— E-Leeds United (@e_LeedsUnited) April 6, 2019
The disappointing 1-0 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday saw Sheffield United jump above their side into the automatic promotion spots, with just six games left.
And, while Marcelo Bielsa’s side have coped with more than their fair share of injuries this season, we think that losing Hernandez could be a fatal blow to Leeds’ top-two hopes. The 33-year-old has been brilliant this season, scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists across 32 Championship games. When Leeds have needed something, Hernandez has been there to provide the spark – it’s fair to say that he’s had his best season in a Leeds shirt and one of the best in a storied career.
We’re not sure when Hernandez picked up the knock but manager Marcelo Bielsa had used all three subs up by the 70th minute. And, if Hernandez felt it during the game he would be the third player in a row to have to play on for Leeds with a knock. Pontus Jansson was injured towards the end of the defeat to Sheffield United but came back after the international break. Barry Douglas wasn’t so lucky. He was injured during the Millwall game and has now been ruled out for the rest of the season.
If Hernandez was back for Tuesday’s game it would be a huge boost and while it would be overstating things to say that Leeds’ season depends on his return, if he was out for a few games we think we’d be looking at Leeds having to come up the hard way, through the play-offs.