Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Stuart Dallas will be a ‘big miss’ for Leeds United in the relegation battle after he picked up a serious injury last weekend.

The Lowdown: 12 months out?

Dallas faces a lengthy period in the Thorp Arch treatment room after he suffered a femoral fracture against Manchester City.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-2/" title="Latest Leeds United updates!" poster="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

The Northern Irishman, who has started 121 of Leeds’ last 122 league games, was stretched off at Elland Road and had surgery on the injury within 48 hours.

A Leeds source believes Dallas’ injury could be worse than first feared in a ‘devastating’ blow that may rule him out for the majority of next season.

Jesse Marsch is gearing up for his first full campaign as Whites boss, however, it remains to be seen whether or not Leeds will still be a Premier League club heading into the 2022/23 season.

The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

Talking to The Transfer Tavern, O’Rourke had this to say on Dallas, describing the versatile full-back as a ‘big miss’ both on and off the pitch ahead of the trip to Arsenal.

“He's versatile and willing to play anywhere for the club. I think off the pitch now it's going to be a big miss because he’s a big character and a leader in that dressing room.

“The situation that Leeds find themselves in right now, they need all those leaders and characters to come to the fore and help them get out of trouble. So yeah, it'll be a big miss, not just on the pitch, but also off it.”

The Verdict: Transfer plans changed?

Marsch already has a fairly small squad as it is, and the injury problems at Elland Road haven’t stopped after he replaced Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February.

Alongside Dallas, Tyler Roberts, Crysencio Summerville and Adam Forshaw are out for the rest of the season, while Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford have also suffered serious injuries during Marsch’s time in Yorkshire.

On that basis, you’d expect that a number of additions could be made over the summer to bolster the squad, regardless of what division they are in. Dallas was normally the answer to any problems at left-back, right-back or in midfield, so Victor Orta may well be on the hunt for a versatile signing to replace the much-beloved Leeds star this summer.

In other news: Leeds officials sent abroad as Radrizzani plots move for 56-goal attacker.