Why Junior Firpo missed Leeds’ meeting with Southampton as fresh Kalvin Phillips concern emerges

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has provided an update on the wellbeing of his squad, on the back of another disappointing result on Saturday.

Broja on target

The Peacocks returned to action a short time ago, in their first fixture on the back of the international break.

Bielsa and co. made the trip to St. Mary’s, aiming to make it two wins from two in the Premier League, and put some light between themselves and the relegation zone in the process.

When all was said and done in Hampshire, however, Leeds’ woes only continued to mount.

Another altogether sub-par display ultimately saw the visitors stutter to a deserved 1-0 defeat, to drop to 17th in the English top-flight table.

On-loan Chelsea hitman Armando Broja proved the difference-maker on the day, netting on the counter early in the 2nd-half to seal all three points for Southampton.

20 – Aged 20 years and 36 days, Armando Broja is the youngest player to score on his first Premier League start for Southampton. Opportune.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 16, 2021

Firpo blow

Whilst the nature of their display, all told, proved largely inexcusable on Saturday, it must be noted that, in defence of Marcelo Bielsa, he was without arguably Leeds’ three most important players at St. Mary’s.

All of Patrick Bamford, Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips were forced to sit out the clash, due to various fitness concerns.

Speaking during his post-match media duties this evening, though, Bielsa went on to confirm that yet another of his first-choice XI has now been added to the treatment table at Elland Road, too.

The player in question? Junior Firpo.

Summer arrival Firpo suffered a muscle injury in training during the week, explaining his absence versus Southampton.

Not only that, but the aforementioned Phillips has picked up a hip problem, to go along with the calf injury which has kept him on the sidelines of late:

Bielsa confirms Firpo suffered a muscle injury in training on Thursday, the reason behind his absence today. As well as a calf problem, Kalvin Phillips has also been struggling with a hip complaint; that’s why he wasn’t risked. Raphinha is suffering from fatigue. #LUFC

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) October 16, 2021