Leeds United are facing fresh injury problems ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship, with Matthew Pennington and Eunan O’Kane struggling.  

The duo were forced off in last night’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, with Paul Heckingbottom facing the possibility of going up against Sunderland without two more bodies.

Adam Pope from BBC Radio Leeds have revealed that Pennington picked up a problem with his calf late in the contest, leaving Leeds to finish with 10 men against Fulham, who were victorious through goals from Kevin McDonald and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

O’Kane was forced off during the first-half with a groin injury, which has now struggled the Irish midfielder for some time.

Defeat at Craven Cottage left Leeds in 13th, with the Whites drifting towards a mid-table finish under Heckingbottom.

There are just six fixtures of the season remaining for Leeds, starting with Sunderland’s visit to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.

Pennington and O’Kane are now in a race against time to make that contest, joining a lengthy injury list, which includes the likes of Luke Ayling and Tyler Roberts, who might not feature until next season.

The Verdict

Heckingbottom will be tearing his hair out over Leeds’ growing injury list, which is really working against him at Elland Road.

The loss of Pennington is a blow, particularly when you consider that Liam Cooper and Conor Shaughnessy remain sidelined, which leaves Pontus Jansson as Leeds’ only available senior defender.

A souring Elland Road crowd will want to see an improved performance on Saturday, whoever is in the starting XI.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!