Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa has said that Junior Firpo will miss the match against Aston Villa, but the defender could be back against Everton or Manchester United, as quoted on BT Sport.
Bielsa’s Leeds will take on Villa away from home at Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
Left-back Firpo will not recover for that game from injury, according to Bielsa.
However, the Leeds head coach believes that the 25-year-old defender – who cost the Whites £13 million in transfer fees (BBC Sport) – will be ready in time for the Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park this coming weekend or against Manchester United at Elland Road on February 20.
However, Bielsa has said that he does not know when star striker Patrick Bamford will recover from his injury.
BT Sport quotes Bielsa as saying: “Firpo is in the final stage of his recovery. He’ll be available next weekend or the following one.”
The Leeds boss added about Bamford: “Bamford hasn’t improved. He continues with the problems at the bottom of his foot and he hasn’t started jogging, so his situation continues the same way.
“We can’t predict when he will return. Because it depends on the pain going away so he can start jogging again. Since the injury started, the pain hasn’t gone away. Of course, he is going through the necessary demanding treatments for the injury he has.”
Junior Firpo news boost for Leeds United
In our view, Firpo being back for Everton or Manchester United is a boost for Leeds.
The 25-year-old is a very good left-back who moved to Leeds from Barcelona in the summer of 2021.
The former Real Betis star has not exactly been a huge hit at Leeds, but injury and COVID-19 issues have affected him.
Firpo has made 11 starts and three substitute appearances in the Premier League for Leeds so far this season.
The Leeds no. 3 has made two appearances in the Carabao Cup and once in the FA Cup so far this campaign.
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