New Connor Roberts fitness update emerges ahead of Leeds clash v Sunderland – Phil Hay

Connor Roberts, currently on loan at Leeds United from Burnley, might not be fully prepared to start in the upcoming match against Sunderland, as per insights shared by Phil Hay. Despite making a notable second-half appearance during Leeds’ 2-1 loss to Coventry City on April 6, where he showcased his skills at right-back, concerns about his match fitness could limit his playing time.Hay, speaking on The Square Ball podcast on April 7, highlighted that while many fans are eager to see Roberts in the starting lineup against Sunderland on April 9, his readiness for extended playtime remains uncertain. This caution stems from Roberts having undergone only one training session prior to the weekend’s game, pushing him to his limits with a 45-minute performance.Leeds United, under the guidance of Daniel Farke, aims to bounce back from their recent defeat and rekindle their winning streak. However, the challenge is heightened by the absence of several key players. Sunderland’s Jack Clarke, a former Leeds winger, poses a significant threat, having previously troubled Leeds’ defense. Roberts’ potential inclusion from the start could bolster Leeds’ defensive capabilities against Clarke’s attacking prowess.Farke’s approach to player fitness and readiness has always been conservative, prioritizing the long-term availability of his squad members over immediate gains. This philosophy suggests that Roberts might be gradually reintegrated into the team, possibly extending his on-field duration beyond 45 minutes if his recovery progresses well.As Leeds United navigates through the remainder of the season, ensuring Roberts’ fitness and availability will be crucial for their aspirations, especially considering the competitive nature of their upcoming fixtures.Citations:[1] https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cyejxzxex48o[2] https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/32566/preview-sunderland-v-leeds-united[3] https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leeds-united/preview/preview-sunderland-vs-leeds-prediction-team-news-lineups_531060.html[4] https://theathletic.com/5245316/2024/02/01/connor-roberts-leeds-burnley-transfer/[5] https://www.footballfancast.com/leeds-united-latest-injury-suspension-news-updates/[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connor_Roberts_%28footballer,_born_1995%29[7] https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/transfer-deadline-day-live-updates-latest-news/3JLYksLcr8Gp/Zai2EsmvBepO/[8] https://sportspyder.com/players/28467-connor-roberts/news[9] https://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/leeds-vs-sunderland/c9gw0e5li5it2w6str0waledw[10] https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-phil-hay-shares-connor-roberts-injury-update-ahead-of-sunderland-clash/[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YBu3B7qGEM[12] https://www.leedsunited.news/news/more-details-of-the-injury-leeds-star-connor-roberts-picked-up-for-wales-emerge-after-defeat-last-night/[13] https://www.leedsunited.com/news/academy/32831/u21s-preview-leeds-united-vs-sunderland[14] https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/daniel-farke-issues-ilia-gruev-willy-gnonto-and-connor-roberts-injury-timeframes-and-stars-return-hope-4574550[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOPPsUwAfNI[16] https://www.footballinsider247.com/wilfried-gnonto-connor-roberts-pascal-struijk-leeds-fans-devastated-by-injury-update/[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzoaRYqdZ3Y[18] https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/people/connor-roberts/