Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has claimed that the latest injury blow suffered by attacker Tyler Roberts will be hugely "frustrating" for everyone involved at the club.

After showing plenty of promise during what effectively became his debut campaign at Elland Road last season despite some fitness issues, it has been an even more difficult second year in Leeds colours for Roberts, who has started just four league games so far after once again being dogged by injury problems.

That looks unlikely to change any time soon, with manager Marcelo Bielsa confirming that the 21-year-old will not be available for his side's trip to QPR this weekend, something Whelan's believes will not have gone down well at Elland Road.

Speaking to Football Insider about Roberts' recent injury problems, the 45-year-old said: “That’s the problem with Tyler, he came to Leeds United, is injured, had a broken season last year with injuries and once again, started the season injured and is injured again.

Indeed, it seems Whelan feels the timing of Roberts' problems aren't helping Leeds either, as he continued: “It’s difficult to pinpoint what’s wrong with Tyler and why he’s picking up these injuries all the time and it’s very frustrating for the player but it’s got to be massively frustrating for the management who really need a player like him right now.”

After joining Leeds from West Brom in January 2018, injury prevented the attacker from making his debut for the club during his first half a season at Elland Road. Since then, Roberts has gone on to make 41 appearances in all competitions for Marcelo Bielsa's side, scoring four goals.

The Verdict

I do think Whelan has a point here.

With Leeds still yet to find a replacement for Eddie Nketiah following his recall by Arsenal earlier this month, they are already short on attacking options as it is.

Roberts absence from the side is therefore not going to help them in that respect, and with worrying comparisons between this season and the last starting to emerge, you feel they would certainly welcome the return of the creative spark of someone such as Roberts to help them get the breakthrough in tight games, helping them to get the wins they need to finally secure promotion this time around.