Jesse Marsch without three Leeds players currently on tour for Brisbane Roar clash

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Jesse Marsch has confirmed that Leeds United will be without left-footed defensive trio Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo and Leo Hjelde for the club’s first pre-season game of their Australia tour against Brisbane Roar on Thursday.

With Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas remaining in Yorkshire, Leeds were already without two defensive options. Now, they are incredibly stretched already at left-back, with Firpo set to miss the next eight weeks of action.

A blow for the ex-Barcelona defender who looked excellent in the club’s first friendly – a 4-0 win over Blackpool. Given his first season struggles at Elland Road, Firpo and Leeds will have been hoping for a solid pre-season at Leeds.

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Now, he is set to miss the first month of Premier League action. Captain Cooper is struggling with a long-term achilles issue, and youngster Hjelde has a small issue with his calf according to the Leeds gaffer, ahead of Thursday.

“I think [Cooper has] just got a little bit of an Achilles issue, and so we’re just being cautious and taking it day by day,” said Marsch. On Firpo, he said: “He’s most likely out eight weeks. “We’re hopeful that it’s a little bit faster.

“Because Junior healed really, really quickly last time after the MCL injury. Leo Hjelde also has a small calf contusion so he won’t play, but the rest of the roster that’s here will be ready and prepared to play.”

Marsch: Leeds without Cooper, Hjelde and Firpo for Brisbane Roar game

If it was not obvious already, Leeds need to buy a left-back. The club are now left with Leif Davis and Jack Harrison as options. Pascal Struijk could move across to the left side of the defence.

Harrison is naturally a winger but has the work rate to be able to play defensively. Davis went out on loan to Bournemouth in the Championship last term but managed just 15 appearances.

With Dallas out for some time and now Firpo and Hjelde sidelined, Leeds desperately need a left-back. But ahead of Thursday’s clash, they will have to rely on Davis, Struijk or Harrison on the left.