Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia isn’t sure when 2022/23 top scorer Rodrigo will be back from injury, as per Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Rodrigo’s comments

The forward has been out of action since the end of January after suffering an injury against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup. The 31-year-old has had surgery on his ankle following bone and ligament damage but recently admitted that he is targeting a return before the March international break.

Hailed as a 'class above' by Pat Nevin, Rodrigo has been the main man in front of goal this season and is the club’s top scorer with 12 goals – eight more than any other player.

The Latest: Rodrigo return date uncertain

Hay was present for Gracia’s pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Leeds' FA Cup clash against Fulham tonight and said on Twitter that the manager's ‘policy is going to be to say as little as possible about injuries/team news’.

However, The Athletic reporter did relay some news on the striker, with the Whites manager ‘not certain at this stage when Rodrigo will be available again’.

The Verdict: Fingers crossed

The Whites could really do with having their star striker fit and available prior to the international break, as Rodrigo has previously targeted, with the Spaniard scoring three times as many goals as Leeds' next most potent forwards.

Gracia could be holding his cards close to his chest, or he may be being honest when it comes to the forward and an unknown return date.

Should it be the latter, the 52-year-old will have to rely on Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter over the coming weeks. The English forward hasn’t scored in his last five Premier League games while the January signing is yet to get off the mark, so the quicker that Rodrigo can return, the better.