Leeds United forward Kemar Roofe is out with an injury.
Leeds United top scorer Kemar Roofe faces weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, the club has confirmed.
Roofe has had a terrific season, scoring 14 goals in 26 games.
The injury is a blow, but it could end up helping Leeds’ long term hopes of keeping him.
Roofe has a contract at Leeds which expires in 2020 and club and player are yet to work out a new deal.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported in December that Leeds were yet to open talks with Roofe over an extension.
This can’t continue, as Leeds will not want to lose their most prolific player on a free transfer next summer.
Leeds could use this time where Roofe is on the sidelines to spend some time negotiating with the 26-year-old and his representatives.
Roofe’s form has slowed down; he has no goals in five games and just one in his last eight.
His negotiating hand is weaker than it was in late 2018 and he is no certainty to reach 20 goals now, when it previously seemed like a formality.
This could restrict interest in Roofe and help him fly under the radar of clubs looking to pounce on the uncertainty this summer, and keep the forward’s wage demands down.
One way or another, Leeds need to find a way to get a deal done as soon as possible.
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