Leeds sweating on fitness of attacking duo

LEEDS United are sweating over the fitness of attacking duo Pablo Hernandez and Jean-Kevin Augustin ahead of their encounter with Cardiff City this Sunday, writes Glen Williams.

The Bluebirds welcome Leeds this weekend as the Championship restarts following a threemonth break owing to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side sit top of the Championship and will be looking to restart their campaign with victory at Cardiff City Stadium this weekend, although the Bluebirds will have a thing or two to say about that.

Crucially, though, they could be without star winger Hernandez for the trip to South Wales, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

According to the Leeds United correspondent, the Spaniard suffered a niggle in training and while the injury is not thought to be too serious, it is uncertain as yet whether it will affect his involvement in Sunday’s match.

Hernandez is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the division, having scored six and provided six so far this campaign, and his potential omission will represent a minor boost for the Bluebirds ahead of this all-important fixture.

Augustin, on loan from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, has had a far lesser involvement, making only three substitute appearances following his temporary move in January.

He is yet to open his account for the Yorkshire club and that run is set to continue this weekend, it would seem.

It was reported that the striker suffered a hamstring injury in training and Hay suggested it is ‘unlikely’ the player will be fit enough to take on the Bluebirds this weekend.

For Cardiff, however, their physio bench also has a few notable names, chiefly right back Jazz Richards, who injured his calf while doing his own fitness during lockdown.

Greg Cunningham and Isaac Vassell are also injured, but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Lee Tomlin are set to contend for starting berths this weekend, both having recovered from fitness issues before the enforced break.