Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan is delighted with an update on Rodrigo’s injury, with the striker now expected to return sooner than expected.
The Lowdown: Rodrigo injury boost
The 31-year-old made a flying start to the season, scoring four goals in five starts in the Premier League before injury cruelly stuck him down.
Rodrigo had to leave the pitch in the 1-1 draw at home to Everton late last month after dislocating his shoulder, with fears that he could be out of action for a long time.
Thankfully, The Athletic’s Phil Hay has since reported that the Spaniard’s injury isn’t as bad at first feared, with surgery not required and a timescale of three to four weeks.
The Latest: Whelan delighted with news
Speaking to Football Insider, former Elland Road striker Whelan revealed his happiness at the news:
“I was very surprised to hear that he could be back inside four weeks. I dislocated my shoulder and it actually took me more like eight weeks to get the strength up. As a forward, you use your arms a lot with jumping and running.
“I’m very happy if that’s the case. Four weeks without our top scorer isn’t ideal, but it could have been a lot worse. I think he’ll be working very hard to get himself back out there and he’ll be very welcome when he does come back.”
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The Verdict: Big positive for Whites
While Rodrigo is still going to be absent for a sustained period, the update is still so much more positive than the original prognosis, so this is an undoubted boost.
The striker has looked far more like the big-money signing that arrived at Elland Road in 2020, and with Patrick Bamford becoming increasingly injury-prone, his performances are going to be so important this season.
For now, Leeds just have to battle on without Rodrigo – the international break helps, in that respect – with youngster Joe Gelhardpt potentially stepping up to the plate before the Spaniard comes back fully fit and firing after the two-week interval.