Michael Skubala gives injury update on three Leeds players ahead of Man Utd clash - plus latest on new manager

Michael Skubala has said injured Leeds United trio Pascal Struijk, Marc Roca and Liam Cooper will need to be assessed ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Manchester United.

Struijk was one of two players who had to be replaced in the first half of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, along with Luis Sinisterra, and the former appeared to be suffering from a concussion as he was withdrawn in the 23rd minute.

As for Roca and Cooper, they missed the game against United altogether due to injury. Asked about the trio after Wednesday’s match, and ahead of the rematch between the teams at Elland Road this weekend, Skubala said he’s not certain who will be available.

“We took a few early knocks and that made it difficult for the second half,” said the caretaker Leeds boss. “We need to go back and assess and look at how everybody is. It’s a shame to lose some good players but we will have to dig deep and be together.

“We have to assess with the medical team and see how he [Struijk] is,” Skubala added. “He took a big blow - he is ok at the minute but was a bit dizzy [earlier]. We need to speak to the medical team tomorrow and see how he is.

On Roca and Cooper, the 40-year-old said: “Both of them we just thought it was a bit too early for this game. Again we need to assess them and see how they’ll be for Sunday.”

Skubala took charge of Leeds on Wednesday as the club continue their search for a new permanent manager following the sacking of Jesse Marsch at the beginning of the week. The caretaker boss could well oversee Sunday’s encounter too, although he admitted he’s not sure at this stage.

“All I’ve done in the last 48 hours is concentrate on the team,” he said. “I don’t know what is going on with the situation, I’m just here to support the club.

“It’s a tough place to come, they [United] haven’t lost [at home] in 13 in all competitions,” Skubala added, when asked about the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. “We did a good job but I’m a little bit disappointed as we did enough to win the game.

“We got to a point where I thought we could win it, but they have really good quality - we know that they’re good players. At the end we had to dig deep and the players had to show their personality to see out the game. I’m really proud of that.”