Pundit issues ‘big’ Forshaw claim after another Leeds injury blow revealed
Adam Forshaw faces “a big period” for Leeds United given injuries to Kalvin Phillips among others, according to Kevin Campbell.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Arsenal striker said the injury crisis at Elland Road means Marcelo Bielsa will have to play Forshaw more than planned over the busy festive period.
Forshaw, 30, started his seventh consecutive Premier League fixture on Tuesday night as the Whites were thrashed 7-0 by Manchester City.
Stuart Dallas partnered Forshaw in the centre of the park at the Etihad after Kalvin Phillips joined Pascal Struijk, Liam Cooper, Rodrigo, Robin Koch and Patrick Bamford on the sidelines.
On Monday (13 December), The Athletic revealed Phillips has undergone surgery on his hamstring and is expected to be out for at least two months.
The England international is likely to miss Leeds United’s next eight Premier League fixtures.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs if there was now major pressure on Forshaw’s shoulders, Campbell said:
“Forshaw has been exceptional since he has come back in. He has done a great job.
“I’m sure Bielsa would like to manage his minutes given the time he’s been out. But when you haven’t got the players it is needs must. They will have to wrap him up and nurse him through this busy festive period as best they can.
“The great thing for Forshaw is, if he gets through this period he knows he has the fitness, stamina and resistance to go on and have a good season. It is a really big period for him.
“As I said, I think Bielsa would like to rotate him over this period but with Phillips’ injury they do not have the luxury to do that.”
Forshaw returned from 18 months out with injury earlier this year.
His contract at Elland Road expires next summer.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has made a ‘£500m’ Leeds transfer claim as 49ers blow Radrizzani out of water.