Jesse Marsch reveals massive Leeds injury blow as he names three players he can see making major impact
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has revealed Luis Sinisterra will be missing until after the World Cup after his foot injury was deemed more serious than initially expected.
The Whites go into Saturday’s home clash with Bournemouth in a buoyant mood. Saturday’s late 2-1 win at Liverpool not only lifted Leeds out of the bottom three, it also was the first time the Reds had lost a Premier League game at Anfield in front of a crowd since the 2016/17 season.
And with another win vital to maintain their momentum, they will have to do so without the services of Sinisterra. The Colombian has performed well since his summer arrival from Feyenoord in a £20m deal, scoring three times in his first six appearances for the club.
However, he was absent for the win at Anfield on Saturday and now looks set for a lengthier than expected spell on the sidelines.
“His foot injury is not making the progress we expected,” Marsch said at a press conference. “We sent him for a scan and we believe he has a lisfranc injury. It’s the ligaments in his foot.
“We don’t think it’s torn, but it is not healing as we would expect. The focus is on his recovery, but we won’t now see him until after the World Cup.”
His absence, of course, will present another chance for Saturday’s hero Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutchman has two goals in his last two games and is starting to vindicate Marsch’s faith in him.
“It’s an opportunity for him to strengthen his position in the group. I told him I’m watching him and that there’s no room for slipping back,” Marsch added.
Summerville and Gnonto are ready to step in
“He’s looking good in training since then. We spoke after Liverpool with a big emphasis on professionalism and discipline. To be fair, he’s had a very good training week. Hopeful he can go more and more.
“Willy [Gnonto] is in the same vein. His work ethic and professionalism is incredibly good. He’s very mature for 18. Cry and Willy have sparked a good friendship. They have both had a positive impact on one another.”
Asked how Summerville has taken his game to the next level, Marsch added: “Tactically, against the ball, can be more and more integrated. Being in the right position. He’s one of our best at pressing and counter-pressing. He’s dynamic. And more dynamic in transition to create chances. His potential is very high. We just need to keep pushing him every day.”
Marsch is wary of placing too much emphasis on Summerville being a regular source of goals for Leeds.
As such, he just wants to see him continue doing what he is doing for now.
“He’s a dangerous player. Every game? No. Big part of unbalancing the opponent by setting team-mates up, transition and pressing. If we can get all our attackers starting to have that it can be fun. Let’s get them all in top form.”
Illan Meslier also earns Marsch praise
The performance of Illan Meslier at Anfield has also drawn widespread praise with the Leeds keeper winning Man of Match.
His performance in the game has raised talk he could sneak into the France squad before the World Cup, though Marsch thinks that is unrealistic.
Discussing, though, how he has become a big player for the Whites he was quick to pick out his qualities.
“Illan fits well with us because he’s a good shot stopper and is excellent on one on ones. His distribution is good and he understands the way we like to play with quick transitions. He’s stood up big in those moments.
Asked about a France call-up, Marsch added: “He seemed to think unrealistic for the World Cup. But he fits the criteria for a third goalkeeper in those squads.”
