Rodrigo to miss 2 months, Harrison set to sign new Leeds deal

Leeds United could be without star forward Rodrigo for up to two months. The club has confirmed that their leading scorer on the season has undergone a minor surgery to fix ligament damage. Rodrigo was injured in the first half of an FA Cup fixture against Accrington Stanley on Saturday. Leeds went on to win the game 3-1. They will now face the winner of Fulham and Sunderland at the end of the month.

Rodrigo has been a hit since his big-money money from Valencia in 2020. He is currently the club’s highest scorer this season by some margin with 12 total goals. Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra are tied for a distant second in team goals with four.

February could be defining month for Rodrigo, Harrison and Leeds

Leeds will need to find goals from other players if they want to remain in the Premier League. The Whites are currently just one point from the relegation zone at the moment. February will certainly be a huge month for the club in Premier League play. Leeds face three other clubs fighting to avoid relegation, while also playing Manchester United twice in four days.

Upcoming games against Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Southampton could prove to be vital to Leeds’ Premier League campaign. Forest is currently two places above Leeds in the table, while Everton and Southampton are both currently in the relegation zone.

One player that could very well step up in place of Rodrigo at Leeds is Jack Harrison. The tricky winger leads the club in assists so far this season and will be an important piece to the puzzle this month. Another option could be new arrival Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim. Leeds spent a club record fee to acquire Rutter, who played as a forward in the Bundesliga.

Winger set to sign new deal despite nearly departing

Harrison, however, nearly departed for Leicester City on transfer deadline day. The 26-year-old midfielder even underwent a medical and met with Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday. Nevertheless, Leeds pulled the plug on selling Harrison at the last minute. Rodrigo’s injury could very well have impacted the decision to keep Harrison.

Although he nearly left Leeds a few days ago, Sky Sports is now reporting that Harrison is set to sign a new deal with his current club. The winger only has 18 months remaining on his contract and will apparently receive a major pay raise to remain at Leeds.

PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire