'Massive' Leeds star is 'struggling' with his leg after 'horrible' collision, Adam Pope reports

Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier is still feeling the effects of the injury which forced him off against Wolves last month. 

The 22-year-old was only able to complete 55 minutes of the 3-2 win at Molineux after a collision with Raul Jimenez, for which the Mexican striker picked up a second yellow card. Backup goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson came on in his place for the remainder of that dramatic Friday night encounter.

Meslier returned to the line-up against Southampton after the international break and also played in the 3-0 victory against Watford on Saturday, keeping his first clean sheet since the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at the end of November.

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The Frenchman has started all 32 of Leeds’ Premier League matches so far this season, but he appears to be playing through the pain barrier at the moment.

BBC Sport journalist Adam Pope relayed an update on Meslier from Jesse Marsch’s post-match press conference on Saturday evening.

The Leeds manager said that the French goalkeeper is ‘struggling with the bruising to his leg suffered against Wolves’ but declared himself pleased with the 22-year-old’s performance at Vicarage Road.

On the one hand, Marsch will probably be relieved that Meslier’s injury isn’t more severe. After all, The Athletic’s Tim Spiers called the goalkeeper’s clash with Jimenez ‘horrible’.

On the other, though, the after-effects may be a concern for the Leeds manager. If the Frenchman is involved in another firm challenge, he could theoretically exacerbate the problem.

Marsch has raved about the ‘massive’ talent of the goalkeeper, saying that Meslier is apparently as good as any young stopper the American has seen.

The 48-year-old is