Fresh injury blow for Leeds as defender misses out on Crystal Palace clash
Leeds United have been hit by another injury blow with defender Cody Drameh picking up a knee injury and ruled out of contention for Tuesday evening’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
United face the Eagles needing a positive performance after picking up a welcome point in a drab display at Brighton. Standing in their way tonight are Patrick Vieira’s Eagles. And the Frenchman has already lit the blue-touch paper ahead of the clash by disagreeing with one strong Bielsa opinion.
A win for Leeds on Tuesday will put them six points clear of the drop zone. And while 18th Burnley will have two games in hand on them, getting the points on the board will prove vital.
One man they will have to be without though is Drameh.
The England U21 right-back has recently made an impact in Bielsa’s first-team plans. Having made his Premier League debut at Norwich, he also started against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup defeat.
Had he been fit, he would have been in contention for a place on the bench against Palace.
However, after missing Monday night’s clash for the Under-23s against Manchester City, coach Mark Jackson lifted the lid on Drameh’s injury.
“Cody’s alright, he’s managing his knee at the minute so he’s just working with the medical team to get that right,” he told Leeds Live.
“Don’t think there’s a major problem with that.”
Ayling fitness news lifts Leeds
With Drameh out of contention, Stuart Dallas looks likely to start in a right-sided defensive role against Palace.
Thankfully for Leeds though, a return does appear to getting closer for Luke Ayling.
The full-back has been absent since the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on September 17 but made a 45-minute appearance for the Under-23s on Monday.
As such, he looks likely to return to contention for Sunday’s clash against Brentford at Elland Road. He could even make the bench on Tuesday evening against the Eagles.
His return will provide Bielsa’s side with a timely lift who have missed Ayling’s influence on the side.
Leeds may have to wait a little longer for Patrick Bamford. He also featured for the Under-23s, but his comeback is likely to be managed more carefully.
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