Leeds United have confirmed that forward Rodrigo is ruled out for up to two months with an ankle injury.
The 31-year-old sustained bone and ligament damage to his ankle in the FA Cup fourth-round victory away against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Leeds have released a statement confirming that the Spaniard has undergone minor surgery and the medical team at Thorp Arch are "confident" that he will return to first-team action by the end of March.
Rodrigo, who moved to Elland Road from Valencia in August 2020, is the top scorer for Leeds across all competitions so far this campaign, finding the net 12 times in 22 matches, twice as many than he managed last season.
Ten of those strikes have come in 18 Premier League fixtures, while he has also netted twice in three appearances in this season's FA Cup.
After undergoing surgery, Rodrigo has since posted an image on Instagram with the caption: "Another challenge. Another learning opportunity. Always positive."
The news of Rodrigo's setback comes as a significant blow to Leeds, as the Spaniard has been a key cog in Jesse Marsch's machine this term, operating either as the number 10 to provide a link between the midfield and attack or as the central striker.
Rodrigo could now miss as many as nine matches across all competitions, starting with Saturday's Premier League clash away at Nottingham Forest which is followed by back-to-back encounters against Manchester United.
The experienced forward will also miss fixtures against relegation-threatened Everton and Southampton later this month as well as the FA Cup fifth-round tie against either Fulham or Sunderland on March 1.
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The absence of Rodrigo will likely see Leeds' club-record signing Georginio Rutter feature regularly as the central striker, while Patrick Bamford is also an option if he can regain his fitness.
Bamford, has been hampered with injuries over the past few seasons and has only started five games in all tournaments in the 2022-23 campaign, including last weekend's FA Cup win over Accrington.
Leeds are also having to cope without Crysensio Summerville, who has missed the last four games with a foot injury, although the young Dutchman is closing in on a return.
Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw and Archie Gray all remain sidelined for the time being, while Tyler Adams and Liam Cooper missed the win over Accrington with minor knocks but could return on Sunday against Forest.
Leeds currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, and have failed to win any of their last six top-flight matches.
Oliver Thomas
