MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 00:59:17| >> :120:8983:8983:
[monks data]
Crystal Palace logo
Premier League | Gameweek 8
Nov 7, 2020 at 3pm UK
Selhurst Park
Leeds logo

Crystal Palace
4 - 1
Leeds

Dann (12'), Eze (22'), Costa (42' og.), Ayew (70')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Bamford (27')
Cooper (49'), Klich (77')

Leeds to make late call on Raphinha for Crystal Palace clash

Leeds to make late call on Raphinha for Crystal Palace clash
© Reuters
The 23-year-old forward is hoping to be fit after an ankle knock.

Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa has yet to decide whether Raphinha will return to the squad for the trip to Crystal Palace.

The deadline-day signing from Rennes missed the home defeat to Leicester on Monday with an ankle injury after impressing in cameo appearances from the bench against both Aston Villa and Wolves, as well as scoring against Norwich in an Under-23 match.

Should he be fit, it could be interesting to see how Bielsa uses the forward – having said previously that the 23-year-old could be an option as a number 10.

Asked about Raphinha, Bielsa said: "I haven't decided just yet about Crystal Palace. We're going to wait until tomorrow (Friday) to see if it is convenient whether we can count on him or not.

"If he plays, he fundamentally plays on either wing. He is a player who is naturally very attacking with ability to get in behind, with dribbling skills and he likes to get in behind.

"His virtue is to attack and these skills are applicable out wide as well as in the centre.

"I won't say that I won't use him in another position, but I see him as a player who can play on either wing. He has played in the centre as a striker and attacking midfielder but he arrived in our team to be an alternative on the wings."

Diego Llorente (groin) and Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) remain out injured while Rodrigo will miss a second match as he continues to self-isolate following his positive Covid-19 test.

Bielsa is confident there are alternatives to call upon in the absence of Rodrigo.

"For every position on the pitch we have various options. We have some options. In the number nine and 10 positions, Rodrigo is an option, but not the only option," said the Leeds boss.

"It's always good to have everyone available but the design of the squad is that we can overcome these problems.

"When a player is missing we cannot say he is not missed because that would not be the case but also because he's missing we cannot resolve his absence. For every game all teams are missing four or five players."

Leeds are looking to bounce back after being beaten 4-1 by Leicester at Elland Road on Monday night.

ID:421202: cacheID:421202:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3589:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Patrick Bamford celebrates with teammates after scoring for Leeds United against Aston Villa in the Premier League on October 23, 2020
Read Next:
Victor Orta 'sick in his heart' that no fans are currently allowed at Elland Road
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds362210472234976
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd36246651272476
3Burnley362014249103974
4Sunderland361911654332168
5Coventry CityCoventry36168125246656
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361316746321455
7Bristol City36131494639753
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn36157144137452
9Middlesbrough36148145547850
10Norwich CityNorwich361213115749849
11Watford36147154650-449
12Millwall361212123637-148
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds36139145056-648
14Queens Park RangersQPR361111144146-544
15Swansea CitySwansea36128163846-844
16Preston North EndPreston36916113642-643
17Portsmouth36119164457-1342
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36912153753-1639
19Hull City36910173645-937
20Stoke CityStoke36812163650-1436
21Cardiff CityCardiff36812163959-2036
22Derby CountyDerby3688203549-1432
23Luton TownLuton3687213259-2731
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth36612183673-3730


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!