Kemar Roofe injury could still have upside if Leeds get things right

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Kemar Roofe limped off during Leeds United’s final pre-season friendly during their tour of Australia.

Leeds fans making predictions about this coming season would have been forgiven for backing Marcelo Bielsa’s side to have a lot more luck with injuries after a campaign in which almost every player within his squad spent some time on the sidelines.

Unfortunately, the early signs in pre-season hint that that may not be the case. Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts are yet to feature, and both Kemar Roofe and Mateusz Bogusz were replaced during their friendly with Western Sydney Wanderers in their final game in Australia.

Three were key men last term, and Bogusz looks to have every chance of enjoying a breakout campaign this coming year. Nevertheless, it would be little surprise if most fans were most worried about whether Roofe has sustained a serious problem.

The forward was outstanding for much of last season. And with Patrick Bamford looking low on confidence right now, Leeds could really do with Roofe making a rapid return to the pitch, especially with the opening day of the new Championship season less than a fortnight away.

Hopefully, Roofe’s injury is not serious. But if he is sidelined for a little while, Leeds can ensure that his spell out of the picture is not for nothing.

If anything was going to convince Bielsa and the club that they need more options up front, it was surely going to be an injury to one of the first-choice strikers, especially in a pre-season in which Roofe and Bamford have played alongside each other on a couple of occasions.

It still looks unlikely that Leeds will go out and add to their ranks unless the news about Roofe proves to be terrible. But questions will probably still be being asked behind the scenes with the transfer deadline looming over the horizon, and perhaps there may be discussions will be held if one or two players find themselves on the club’s radar.

Roofe making a speedy recovery will be fantastic news for Leeds. But perhaps this is one occasion where the Whites may actually benefit if they have to take one step backward, as long as it convinces the club to now try and take two forward.