Leeds boss Garry Monk admits he doesn’t know why Pontus Jansson came off during Brighton defeat

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The Leeds defender was replaced by Liam Cooper in the dying minutes at the Amex Stadium.

Leeds United boss Garry Monk has explained to BBC Radio Leeds that he is not sure why Pontus Jansson came off during the Whites’ defeat to Brighton on Friday night.

Heading into the final few minutes at the Amex Stadium, with the Peacocks already 2-0 down against Chris Hughton’s men, Jansson had to receive medical treatment.

That meant that the Sweden international had to leave the field with the physio until he was beckoned back on by the official.

Leeds manager Garry Monk talks to Pontus Jansson

But while Jansson took his place on the touchline, seemingly ready to come back on, Leeds made a substitution with Liam Cooper replacing the 25-year-old, which prompted the club cult-hero to head straight down the tunnel rather than take a place on the bench.

And speaking after the game, Monk conceded that he did not know why the centre-back had to be taken off.

“Who knows?” He told BBC Radio Leeds when asked why the Torino loanee had to be replaced.

“I don’t really know why Pontus come off the pitch so it’s not totally clear, but, of course, we’ll assess that over the next 24 hours with all of the players, all their recovery and who’s fit, who’s ready.

“But for sure, whoever steps foot on that pitch on Tuesday will be determined to put the result that we had today right.”

Leeds United manager Garry Monk talks to his players

With another crucial game on the immediate horizon – Leeds face Reading on Tuesday – it is hardly surprising that Jansson was replaced as defeat was inevitable by that stage of the contest against Brighton, especially as the Whites had played the majority of the game with 10 men.

The backroom staff may have felt that putting Jansson back on would have been an unnecessary risk that could have proved costly if he had made his own situation worse, so while Monk did not appear to know what was going on initially, it is probably fair to say that the right call was made.