Kemar Roofe’s injury is a huge blow for Leeds United and their promotion chances are slimmer without the 14-goal forward available for a period.  

Leeds have relied on Roofe for a lot of the season, with the 26-year-old involved in 16 goals across all competitions for the Whites, adding two assists to that impressive goal tally.

In fact, only Pablo Hernandez has been involved in more goals this season – seven goals and 11 assists – and now, pressure will be on the influential Spaniard for more than one reason, which he will recognise.

First of all, Hernandez will now have to find his productive best without Roofe around. Marcelo Bielsa will be turning to the Spaniard to score goals and create chances, ultimately proving to be the difference in the final third, as he has been on so many occasions.

[ad_pod ]

In addition to that, a familiar door is now open for Hernandez, with it likely that he will be moved back into the No.10 role to accommodate Roofe’s absence.

Marcelo Bielsa recently moved Roofe into a deeper role and to plug that gap, Hernandez could be shifted into his favoured role where he has previously excelled at Elland Road.

Under Garry Monk, Hernandez was Leeds’ key cog in the No.10 role, whilst there have been times this season when he’s made the difference from that central role, where he can dictate Leeds’ play.

One moment springs to mind, when he picked up the ball against Bolton Wanderers and slipped a pass through the legs of a defender into the path of Patrick Bamford – the man who will replace Roofe in attack – who expertly dispatched to record a 1-0 win.

Leeds need those two to link well now, with the importance of that happening even more important following Roofe’s injury.

Whilst it’s a huge setback for Leeds on the whole, Hernandez has an opportunity to move into his best position and pull the strings to guide his side to promotion.