Paul Heckingbottom offers an update on Pablo Hernandez

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night.

Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom has told Leeds Live that he has been impressed with Pablo Hernandez, but he hasn’t been training of late.

The Whites suffered a thumping 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Friday night, as Patrick Bamford’s hat-trick condemned Leeds to a heavy loss at the Riverside Stadium.

New boss Heckingbottom won’t have been impressed with such a poor defensive showing, and he will be hoping for better when Leeds host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday night.

Heckingbottom will be running checks on his players and their fitness ahead of that game at Elland Road, with the status of playmaker Pablo Hernandez a particular concern.

Hernandez, 32, missed the win over Brentford and the defeat to Middlesbrough in a concerning injury blow for Leeds, as the Spaniard was left nursing a groin injury.

The Spaniard has been impressive for Leeds this term, hitting six goals and six assists in all competitions for the Whites, including two assists in the 2-2 draw with Bristol City last month.

Hernandez returning would be a huge boost for Leeds, and amid concerns over his contract situation given that he is a free agent this summer, manager Heckingbottom has told Leeds Live that he has been impressed with the former Swansea ace.

Heckingbottom did though add that Hernandez hasn’t been training, which ‘is not ideal’, but he hasn’t missed a lot of time and Leeds are working to get him fit not only for the short term, but until the end of the season.

“He’s not been training which is not ideal, but he’s not missed a long time,” said Heckingbottom. “He’s impressed me, performed well. But we have to mindful to get him fit so he can play every game now,” he added.