Hernandez begins spell on sidelines as Leeds host Preston

Posted Tuesday, December 24, 2019 by PA

Pablo Hernandez is out of Leeds’ Boxing Day home game against Preston as he faces up to a month on the sidelines.

The Spanish midfielder damaged a hamstring during the opening minute of Saturday’s 2-1 Sky Bet Championship defeat at Fulham and will miss the whole festive programme and more.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa has had more positive news on striker Tyler Roberts and midfielder Jamie Shackleton, who are both back in training after hamstring problems.

However, Barry Douglas will miss out through illness while Adam Forshaw continues to battle a hip injury.

Preston boss Alex Neil will be without full-backs Darnell Fisher and Joe Rafferty as they complete suspensions.

Fisher picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in the 2-1 victory over Luton earlier this month four days after Rafferty was sent off during the win against Fulham, with the pair handed two and three-match bans respectively.

Club captain Tom Clarke returned to the starting line-up for the first time since August in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Cardiff and will hope to retain his place.

Ben Davies is back in contention after an ankle injury, but Daniel Johnson and Louis Moult are still out.