Leeds could be handed an unexpected boost before meeting white-hot Brighton on Saturday, with striker Rodrigo a possibility to play barely a month after undergoing ankle surgery.
Manager Javi Gracia stated that ‘some long-term injured players’ were in training, and would be evaluated to see if they could be called upon in the Yorkshire club’s upcoming fixtures.
The 32-year-old forward injured his ankle whilst on FA Cup duty, when Leeds beat Accrington 3-1 at the end of January.
Following surgery at the start of February, it was believed that Rodrigo would be out out of action for up to two months.
Leeds have only scored in two of their last seven matches, and are hovering above the relegation zone by a single point.
Brazilian striker Rodrigo’s return to the squad would lift the spirits of a beleaguered Leeds side
Javi Gracia will be keen to get his players scoring as the threat of relegation looms
The season’s top scorer and fellow injured forward Luis Sinisterra are sorely missed by their newly appointed manager.
Gracia was hopeful, however, saying: ‘They are doing something with the team.
‘Some long-term injured players need a process to adapt, to come back with the team, but they are doing some [training].
‘The next training session [on Friday], we will evaluate the situation they are in. Can they help us in the next game, or is it better to wait?’
Sinisterra is unavailable after pulling a muscle earlier this month in Leeds’s feisty 2-2 draw with Manchester City, and although the player had hoped to make it into the squad to face Chelsea last Saturday, his extended absence will likely have been worrying the Spanish manager.
There are still question marks over Patrick Bamford’s involvement against Brighton, after he missed out on playing against the Blues due to a knock, and that of defender Liam Cooper, who has missed the last six matches for his club due to a muscle strain.
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Gracia has overseen one win and a loss since taking over the imperiled club from former manager Jesse Marsch, with victory against Southampton coming at home.
Patrick Bamford (in white) could also make his return against Brighton after picking up a knock
The former Watford manager was keen to inspire the Elland Road faithful once again and called upon the fans travelling to the ground this Saturday to provide invaluable support for his team to draw upon.
‘It’s crucial for us,’ the manager said of his home fans. ‘We know first of all, playing with our supporters is always better. They helped us in the last home game.
‘In my opinion they were the difference for us to be able to win the game and I expect the same for the next game, playing home and playing away because when we play away you can see 7,000 people supporting you.
‘I want to thank them because they are supporting a lot and we can feel it. It’s true in the last home game against Southampton, the atmosphere was unbelievable and it was what we needed to get the good result.’
The new manager also provided an update on his coaching staff ahead of meeting Brighton, confirming that Chris Armas, former assistant head coach under Gracia’s predecessor Marsh, was no longer part of the set up.
Instead, Gracia is joined by his assistants, Zigor Aranalde and Mikel Antia, as well as conditioning coach Juan Sollas, and Michael Skubala, who has been promoted to the first-team staff following his spell as interim manager.