:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61381705/1019225456.jpg.0.jpg)
Leeds United will be without 3 of their regular starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Millwall.
Roofe took "a kick which will not allow him to play." Bamford obviously out for four months too. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) September 13, 2018
Kemar Roofe - Leeds only experienced centre-forward is out with what manager Marcelo Bielsa described as “a kick which will not allow him to play”. After the news regarding Patrick Bamford earlier this week this is a major blow for the club. Bielsa said that Leeds “first option” with Roofe and Bamford out is Wales international Tyler Roberts, so Saturday could be a big game for his first team prospects.
TEAM NEWS: Leeds United’s Tyler Roberts set to start in place of injured Kemar Roofe at Millwall. Gaetano Berardi, Pablo Hernandez & Patrick Bamford all injured. Hernandez out for more than 3 weeks. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) September 13, 2018
Pablo Hernandez is expected to be out for 3 weeks having re-injured the same muscle which kept him out against Middlesbrough before the international break. Leeds missed his creativity from out wide last time out but hopefully whoever comes into replace him (likely Jack Harrison) can do a good job.
6 weeks in... Top of the league then Roofe, Berardi, Hernandez and Bamford all injured within a 7 day period
— DAN (@twatterleeds) September 13, 2018
Leeds will always find a way to be Leeds.#lufc
Finally, Gaetano Berardi has not yet recovered from the injury that saw him leave the Middlesbrough game on crutches. Of the three, this should be the least concerning as it will probably result in Sweden international Pontus Jansson coming back into the starting XI. It is a shame for Berardi as he has been fantastic this season.
Wowzers!!!
— Ryan Wilson (@RYAN_PIGEONS) September 13, 2018
Big chance for Roberts, Jansson in for Berardi and Harrison (who had a good game against Boro) in for Pablo. I hope we physically compete as I think that is the key factor on Saturday. #lufc #alaw #mot https://t.co/Fch6oXbmnJ
The injuries could also provide opportunities - likely from the bench if at all - for Jack Clarke and Ryan Edmondson. The two have impressed in the u23 side, with Jack Clarke a clear Man of the Match in the u23 side’s 5-0 win over Bristol City.
Bielsa on possibly using Edmondson or Clarke: "They are young players. We value them for their skills. We have to find the right moment to play them so they can express those skills. We have to choose the right time to put young players in the team - not too early or too late."
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) September 13, 2018
This news is really bad news, but the Roofe injury is most concerning right now. Leeds have other experienced options out wide and at centre-back, but up front we are really short.
Does this change how confident you are about Saturday? Let us know in the comments or @ThruItAllLUFC on twitter.