Leeds United pundit Noel Whelan has been reacting to Joe Gelhardt’s recent injury, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Gelhardt sidelined
The 19-year-old has featured heavily in recent months with the likes of Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo out through injury.
Gelhardt has provided three assists in just 301 minutes of Premier League action, while also scoring his first Leeds goal against Chelsea.
His last appearance came against Burnley in a 3-1 win at Elland Road, with the forward becoming a firm fan favourite at Elland Road.
However, as revealed by Marcelo Bielsa, Gelhardt is now set for a spell on the sidelines following a training ground injury which looks set to keep him out for 'three to four weeks'.
The Latest: Whelan reacts
Whelan, who reports for BBC Radio Leeds, was talking to Football Insider about Gelhardt’s ankle issue.
He labelled the teenager as Leeds’ ‘surprise package’ and described the update as ‘huge’ and tipped the youngster to be a ‘massive miss’.
“This is huge.
“He’ll be a massive miss for Leeds United because he’s playing with no fear. He’s a player who can really drive and take the game to opposition defensives.
“We’ve seen him do it a couple of times before, winning penalties at important times through really positive running.
“He’s a player that the opposition don’t know too much about, as well. He’s been a real surprise package for us.
“We’re lacking options when it comes to that central figure leading the line, especially with Patrick Bamford also out yet again. We’re down to the bare bones.”
The Verdict: No signs of slowing up
We’re now into the second half of the season, and the club’s injury list is showing no signs of slowing up, so a signing or two could come in handy before the end of the month.
The Whites may well be without a whopping 11 players against West Ham on Sunday, with question marks over all of their senior attacking options alongside youngsters Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.
It would be remarkable if Leeds’ injury issues last the whole 2021/22 campaign, but at this moment in time and following Gelhardt’s injury, you wouldn’t bet against it.
If Bielsa can keep the Whites in the Premier League for a third season, you could argue that it would be just as good an achievement as the club's ninth-placed finish last term.
In other news: 'We're told' - Graham Smyth shares key update as Orta and Leeds finally step up January business.