Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Leeds United - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - October 9, 2022 Leeds United's Pascal Struijk celebrates scoring their first goal with Marc Roca and Jack Harrison REUTERS/Tony Obrien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk looks set to be available against Everton this weekend, Adam Pope reports.
The Lowdown: Struijk’s absence
Struijk sat out the return fixture against Manchester United at Elland Road on Sunday due to concussion protocols.
The Dutch defender was replaced early on at Old Trafford after taking a powerful Marcus Rashford shot to the head, with Junior Firpo filling in at left-back. However, it looks as if Struijk will make a swift return in what will be a boost for Michael Skubala.
The Latest: Pope’s post
Pope took to Twitter on Thursday afternoon to relay news from Thorp Arch from Skubala’s pre-Everton press conference.
He said that Marc Roca and Liam Cooper remain doubts, but both Struijk and youngster Sonny Perkins are back involved after concussion and injury respectively.
The Verdict: Good news
The Whites have relied on Struijk heavily this season, with the 23-year-old making 22 appearances in all competitions. He has actually been the club’s best-rated performer this season with an average match rating of 6.90/10, as per WhoScored, so knowing he could be back is good news.
It’ll be interesting to see where Struijk may turn out, though, especially with centre-back Cooper a doubt, meaning he may feature in his natural central role, with Firpo continuing at left-back.
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