If losing our top-two spot to Sheffield United was not bad enough, Leeds have confirmed that Pontus Jansson suffered a knee injury on Saturday and will be out of action for the next three weeks.
The news could have been a lot worse, though, as the March international break will ensure the key first-team star only misses one game, providing he returns when expected.
The Swedish international was also in line to play for his country during their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers, but will now stay in West Yorkshire to begin his rehabilitation at Thorp Arch instead – hopefully returning against Birmingham on April 6.
Sitting out until April does, though, open the door for someone to come in for our clash with Millwall on March 30, and fans on Twitter are keen to see Gaetano Berardi heed the call.
Thanks to a series of injuries of his own, the one-cap Switzerland international has only been able to feature in 21% of Marcelo Bielsa’s Championship starting XI’s to date, and a return would only be his tenth outing of the season.
Some supporters also shared concerns that his disciplinary record could cause us problems against Millwall, but those voices were in the minority…
That could have been so much worse. Step forward Berardi.
— Angela Meltham ???????? (@AngelaMeltham) March 18, 2019
Ummm, this guy? pic.twitter.com/ljmS6vf8U8
— Jono (@JGWhittaker) March 18, 2019
#GaetanoBerardi do you heed the call.
Philips can play the part but we then lose him as defensive midfielder. Aapo Halme on the bench. Jamie Shackleton, Leif Davis and Jack Clarke your club needs you#MOT #ALAW #LUFC #INBIELSAWETRUST— Dumpfor (@Dumpforsp) March 18, 2019
Least i get to see my love Gaetano in white shirt once again! go on lad! ????
— Rich Wood (@Woodhead85) March 18, 2019
Berardi’s back plus we’ve got Halme, Struijk and Diaz doin well for the U23’s so all is not lost. Hopefully he’ll use one of those guys before switching KP as he makes the midfield tick. #mot
— Ricky Spanish (@RickySp59446580) March 18, 2019
Get berradi in to cause some havoc against millwall ????????
— Robert James (@Robertkas86) March 18, 2019
Step forward Gaetano Berardi
— Mike (@yonyteboah) March 18, 2019
Good Job Berardi’s match fit then. Get well soon mate we need you.
— Lewis James Armitstead???????? (@1ManArmytstead) March 18, 2019
It’s still a blow but at least the timing of the international break helps a great deal. If he’d had this injury three weeks ago he could’ve missed six games rather than the two we’re looking at. Step up Berardi! #lufc
— Anders Lagerfjärd (@jalager) March 18, 2019