The fullback had been out for a couple weeks before to this weekend.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Connor Roberts’ fitness for Leeds’ next encounter against Sunderland is doubtful, with concerns over his ability to start the game.
- If Roberts is unable to start, youngster Archie Gray may step in at full-back, providing Leeds with much-needed depth.
- Despite concerns about Roberts’ fitness, his absence from the starting lineup may not be damaging considering his minimal playing time thus far.
Leeds United journalist Phil Hay has offered an update on Welsh international Connor Roberts’ fitness ahead of the club’s midweek meeting against Sunderland.
Roberts was obliged to leave before the conclusion of his national team’s final game of the previous international break.
Journalist Phil Cadden reported that he had sustained a thigh injury. Manager Daniel Farke revealed after the club’s victory against Watford following the international break that Roberts would not be returning for their next match against Hull City.
Indeed, he wasn’t, but the 29-year-old was named to Leeds’ matchday squad for their trip to Coventry, where they lost 2-1, leaving them third in the Championship table and with little real control over their automatic promotion chances.
Roberts came on at the start of the second half to replace Glen Kamara. He made it through the rest of the game, but it appears that his health to start against the Black Cats on Tuesday night is still in question.
Connor Roberts might not be fit enough to start against Sunderland.
Archie Gray, 18, may have to cover at full-back again because his 29-year-old teammate’s fitness is in doubt. Given the short turnaround between the two games, Leeds journalist Phil Hay is unsure whether Roberts will be fit enough to start.
On The Square Ball Podcast, Hay stated: “That would appear to be a straightforward change to make, with Gray pushing into midfield. I believe the only question will be how long Roberts can play.
“He went for 45 minutes today, but Farke was saying they were really pushing him to the maximum by doing that because I think he’d only had one training session before the weekend, but that’s probably the area to keep an eye on.”
The Burnley loanee has made only one start since joining the Yorkshire club in the January transfer window. That happened during United’s 1-0 win over Stoke City in early March.
Connor Roberts’ starting point questions aren’t the end of the world.
The Whites have suffered with depth at this position for the whole of the season, which is why Gray has had to step in, despite being a natural central midfielder.
Leeds will need the tactical flexibility to move their young star into the center of the park if things don’t go well, as they did against Coventry. This is quite simple, regardless of whether he is playing right back or not. The teenager’s positional versatility makes the transition to bringing a true full-back off the bench much easier, as he can fit into wherever the guy going off for said full-back previously was.
