Sources: Leeds injury crisis escalates as more stars ruled out of Arsenal clash
Only eight Leeds United first teamers were able to participate in training on Thursday as the club’s injury crisis escalates, Football Insider can reveal.
Marcelo Bielsa confirmed at his media conference that Daniel James and Jamie Shackleton are out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal with injuries sustained in the midweek drubbing against Man City.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club’s availability crisis is such that only eight members of the first-team squad took part in the club’s session at Thorp Arch on Thursday.
Members of the under-23s had to be promoted to bulk up the numbers and provide some kind of preparation 48 hours before the Elland Road fixture.
United are down to the bare bones with James and Shackleton’s injuries, meaning the casualty list is now seven.
Meanwhile, Junior Firpo serves a one-match suspension against Arsenal after picking up five yellow cards.
Robin Koch is fit to return on Saturday after missing almost all of the campaign due to injury.
However, the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Patrick Bamford, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper are still out of action.
The senior quartet all missed the 7-0 thrashing at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday (14 December).
Absences have meant Bielsa has been forced to bring academy products into the senior squad for both training and matchday.
Joe Gelhardt, Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh, Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood, Liam McCarron and Jack Jenkins were substitutes against City.
Leeds face Arsenal off the back of three games without a win.
The Whites faced the Gunners in the League Cup back in October.
Mikel Arteta’s side ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates.
In other news, Football Insider injury expert reveals when Patrick Bamford will be back for Leeds United.