Good Morning. It's Monday 18th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Hay provides injury update
Leeds journalist Phil Hay has given an indication of whether the queue for the treatment table at Thorp Arch has shortened following the International break. Jamie Shackleton (quad), Forshaw (hip), Nketiah (abdominal), Cooper (tear in groin) and Alioski (side injury) have all been missing from first team action for a number of weeks.
Cooper no, he’s got a tear in his groin so I’d expect him to be longer. Forshaw is getting closer but Nketiah will probably miss out again. Alioski remains a doubt and not sure about Shackleton–he’s had a niggle for a little while.
The ex YEP Chief football writer went on to say that if Nketiah had not been injured, the 20 year old would have started four games in a row!
Leading bookmakers still rate Leeds favourites for Promotion
The world's favourite online sports betting company (according to themselves) Bet365 still rate Leeds Utd as favourites to gain promotion to the Premier League this season. The £2.7 billion company are currently offering bets of 1/4 to see the Whites promoted come what May whether it be automatically, or via the play offs. It means that you'd have to place a bet of £4 to win £1 (plus your stake money back)!
Interestingly, a better bet may be an each way bet on the leading goal scorer in the Championship. Bamford is 6th favourite to be the golden boot winner this season at 25/1, (12.5/1 to finish in the top 4) and Nketiah is 50/1 (25/1 to finish in the top 4). Mitrovic is currently leading the race for top goal scorer; he has 12 goals to his name. On average, he scores one goal every 120 minutes.
Should Nketiah have an extended run in the team, what are the chances he would catch up with 4th place Jarrod Bowen, currently on 9 goals (and scoring on average one goal every 160 minutes), five ahead of the on loan Gunner?
Westwood rumour resurfaces
Leeds have been linked (yet again) to a move for Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood. With the Wendies in deep water with the EFL for financial irregularities, and a ban hanging over Kiko Casilla, could there be any truth in this, or is it just lazy journalism?
Matteo on the mend
Former Leeds legend Dominic Matteo underwent emergency surgery last Monday to remove a brain tumour. News only filtered through to the press once the 45yo former centre back who represented the Whites on 115 occasions was moved of intensive care. I'm sure we all wish him well.