Leeds: 'Big blow' for Jesse Marsch at Elland Road

Leeds forward Rodrigo‘s injury is a huge blow for Jesse Marsch, according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton.

The £100,000 per-week star has been in scintillating form at the beginning of the Premier League campaign but is now facing a significant spell on the sidelines after suffering a shoulder problem against Everton.

Rodrigo scored four goals in his opening four appearances in 2022-2023, putting him just two behind his tally for the whole of last season.

But just 32 minutes into his fifth outing of the campaign, he collided with Jordan Pickford and was forced off after dislocating his shoulder.

Marsch addressed the problem on Thursday and while he said the outcome was the best that it can be under the circumstances, he admitted that Rodrigo will be ruled out until at least the beginning of next month.

“When it pops out, it’s about as good a case scenario as possible,” Marsch said. “That means that it doesn’t need surgery and that hopefully in three to four weeks it can calm down. Maybe it takes a little bit longer, maybe it’s a little bit shorter.

“We will see. He feels good, he feels confident that he will be ready fairly soon so we’re kind of targeting after the international break.”

Given that Rodrigo has started the season in red-hot form, Thornton recognised that the injury came at an awful time for Leeds.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “He’s been in great form, and he’s been a real leader in the team as well, so it’s a big blow. It’s probably the worst possible timing for him because this is the best form that he’s shown since arriving at Leeds.

“Marsch actually talked him up last week and he said he thinks he’s got all the attributes to become one of the best players in the world.”

If Rodrigo doesn’t return to action