Confirmed: Leeds hopeful over imminent boost after shock injury setback

Mon 2 April 2018 12:34, UK

Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom is hopeful that the first team will be handed a boost imminently as Kemar Roofe closes in on returning from his injury layoff.

The versatile attacker, who has been used on both wings and as a centre forward this season, is the top scorer across all competitions for the Whites with 12 goals in 33 appearances, but has been missing for the last six games with what was believed to be a calf strain.

However Heckingbottom has admitted his shock at how long the 25-year-old has been out of action, initially expecting a short term injury and stating the setback has been a surprise, but insisted that while he might not be back for the midweek game against Fulham, he is closing in on a return soon.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I can’t imagine any others will be back (versus Fulham).

“Roofey’s in the final stages of recovery but we’ll need to get him training again and see how he is.

“An injury we were hoping would be a couple of weeks has turned into several so we need to be careful and make sure he doesn’t break down.”

Football Insider verdict

Having Roofe back will be a big boost to the Leeds team going into the final stretch of the season. Even if fans are not entirely convinced by his abilities up front, he has demonstrated more than anyone else he knows where the goal is, and putting the ball in the back of the net has been one of a number of issues for the Whites. However, they will have to do without him against a high-flying Fulham side, and even though they secured their second win of 2018 on Friday, expectations for another victory will be low. What they need to do is show progress and challenge the Cottagers, giving the play-off hopefuls a run for their money.