Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell could be out for up to three months, according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, talking to Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Cresswell’s training ground injury
Cresswell, labelled as 'unbelievable' by Leeds YouTuber Joe Wainman after an impressive performance earlier this season, is just one of numerous sidelined players at Elland Road.
The 19-year-old made his Premier League debut against West Ham back in September and has featured in three more top-flight games since.
He was set to start against Arsenal on the weekend with Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk injured and Diego Llorente out through illness, however, he suffered a shoulder issue in training and was unable to feature.
It now seems as if he could miss a chunk of action, with injury expert Dinnery believing he may need surgery.
The Latest: Dinnery’s comments
Dinnery was talking to Football Insider regarding Cresswell’s shoulder issue.
This is what he had to say, admitting he may need an operation to resolve the issue, which could keep him out for three months and therefore would result in Cresswell missing Leeds’ next 12 games.
“Prior to the Leeds-Arsenal game, some outlets reported that it was a dislocation.
“But Bielsa spoke prior to kick-off and referenced a clavicle injury. Those are two slightly different issues
“It was a training ground issue with a player landing on top of Cresswell. With that injury, it can be treated conservatively.
“Kalvin Phillips dislocated his shoulder on the last day of the 2020-21 season and was available for England 14 days later.
“But sometimes you may need surgery to address the underlying issues as it is a fairly shallow joint
“If there is a laxity within the connective tissue that holds that arm in place, you can need an operation.
“If it’s treated conservatively, he could be out for a matter of weeks. If it’s surgery, it could be two or three months, or possibly even longer.
“If it is a non-displaced clavicle injury, conservative treatment again would suffice.
“If it’s more serious, again surgery may be required. Then we are talking anywhere from six to eight weeks.”
The Verdict: Never ends…
Leeds have 10, yes 10 first-team players sidelined at this moment in time, so hearing these comments on Cresswell aren’t exactly ideal.
Marcelo Bielsa has a small squad as it is, so needs every player he can to be available, even if it is a teenage defender with just one Premier League start.
Cresswell has missed just two Premier League matchday squads, though, becoming a regular in the 20-man squad, but it seems as if he’ll be missing the festive period and possibly the first few months of 2022.
Hopefully, the New Year will result in better luck on the injury front, otherwise, the Whites could be in danger of relegation in just their second season back in the top flight.
In other news: Orta now keen on signing 'flawless' int'l on loan for Leeds in January alongside two midfielders.