Journalist Phil Hay has claimed that Junior Firpo has now picked up a thigh strain as he strives for a return to Leeds United’s first team.
Not too long ago, things were starting to look good for Jesse Marsch on the injury front, with Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo and Firpo all back in contention for starting spots in the first team.
While most of them are now fit and giving Marsch options when it comes to his team selection, someone who’s still yet to kick a ball this season is Firpo, as the full-back has now picked up another muscular injury having just recovered from the hamstring problem he sustained in pre-season.
Hay revealed on the latest episode of The Phil Hay Show that Firpo did indeed pick up a thigh strain last week, which ruled him out of the game against Crystal Palace this past weekend.
He said: “I’m told that he’s got a slight thigh problem. I think, as it stands at the moment, it’s hard to see him shifting Struijk from the team. I think Struijk has done enough to keep himself there.”
Does Firpo have a future at Leeds?
Yes!
No!
TIF Thoughts on Firpo’s injury woes…
It has been a disastrous season thus far for Firpo, who simply can’t catch a break when it comes to injuries given he’s still yet to start a game this campaign – but this isn’t a new problem for the defender.
The full-back missed a rather large portion of games last season due to fitness issues, which saw Stuart Dallas often fill in at left-back, but with the Northern Ireland international sidelined himself, it has been centre-back Pascal Struijk plying his trade in an unfamiliar position.
We feel Marsch and Leeds may well be regretting the fact they decided to back Firpo over the summer by not bringing in a new left-back to provide depth and competition as he appears to be struggling to remain fit for selection.
As well as Struijk is playing at left back, I would rather he was in cental defence pushing Cooper out or at least keeping him on his toes. It iwas/s very poor judgement on the part of the club to have not signed a left back and a striker in the window as both positions are hurting us in different ways and putting pressure on what is a half decent but inexperienced midfield.