An evidence for Joe Gelhardt being compelled to make do with a spot on the bench from the off in Leeds United’s assembly with Southampton on Saturday has been supplied.
Within the days main as much as their aspect’s return to motion on the again of the worldwide break, lots of a Peacocks persuasion made clear their hopes that up-and-coming expertise Gelhardt could be afforded only a third begin of the Premier League marketing campaign up towards Southampton.
This after all comes with star striker Patrick Bamford set for an additional prolonged spell on the sidelines, after struggling a ‘ruptured plantar fascia’ in his foot.
Ultimately, nevertheless, Gelhardt was however condemned to the bench as soon as extra, as Jesse Marsch opted to utilise wide-man Dan James in an unorthodox centre-forward function.
Talking on the again of the motion coming to a detailed at Elland Street, Leeds’ boss was due to this fact drawn on his alternative of striker for Saturday’s conflict.
And Marsch went on to disclose that, actually, Gelhardt’s substitute function got here owing to the teenager lacking coaching through the week, after returning what it’s understood has since been recognized as a false constructive take a look at for Covid-19:
Gelhardt didn’t begin as a result of he had a constructive Covid take a look at – Leeds suppose a false constructive – and missed some coaching. Struijk additionally had Covid and somewhat hamstring pressure through the break, though Marsch although Cooper had appeared very sturdy in coaching. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) April 2, 2022
Ward-Prowse clinches a degree
Turning attentions again in direction of the eventual end result in west Yorkshire this afternoon, Leeds have been in the end compelled to accept a hard-fought share of the spoils.
This got here after Jack Harrison’s opener simply shy of the half-hour mark was cancelled out by James Ward-Prowse early within the 2nd-half, as Southampton’s captain ensured that his aspect returned to the south coast with a degree courtesy of yet one more gorgeous free-kick:
TRADEMARK JAMES WARD-PROWSE!
One other free kick from Southampton’s world class specialist!
Stream #PLGoalRush LIVE, or on demand after, right here https://t.co/n1SuqFbUAU#OptusSport #PL pic.twitter.com/3TLMkcVD7p
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) April 2, 2022
Jesse Marsch identifies pair of fellow countrymen as key Leeds targets forward of summer time
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