Derby County v Leeds United: Tyler Roberts sidelined for Whites as Rams wait on duo

Leeds United's Tyler Roberts has been ruled out of this weekend's Championship play-off semi-final first leg with Derby County at Pride Park.
Leeds United forward Tyler Roberts.Leeds United forward Tyler Roberts.
Leeds United forward Tyler Roberts.

Marcelo Bielsa's side make the trip to face Frank Lampard's team on Saturday evening in front of a sell-out crowd.

United will travel, though, without forward Roberts who has been ruled out of the fixture with an ankle injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 19-year-old has been missing from Bielsa's matchday squad for the past two outings and will now be absent for a third straight game.

There is also a fresh concern over Swedish defender Pontus Jansson, who also has an ankle issue, after he sat out of training on Thursday with the Argentine confirming the rest of his squad is match ready.

"(Stuart) Dallas will play," Bielsa revealed.

"(Tyler) Roberts will not. There's also a doubt with (Pontus) Jansson, he has a problem with his ankle."

Jansson, though, played down the issue in his media briefing, saying: "I don't know what's been said but it's a long season, I have pain everywhere. It's not a big thing but it's a little bit more today.

"I'll play in a wheelchair if you want!"

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Whites will also be missing long-term absentees Barry Douglas and Gjanni Alioski, who have already been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Derby themselves are face an anxious wait over striker Martyn Waghorn (achilles) and winger Duane Holmes (thigh).

Lampard said: "We’ll leave it until the last moment (to make a decision). Other than that, we are pretty much as we were.

"Duane was out for a few weeks with a thigh strain and it was a big ask from me to play him against West Brom, but I felt we needed his speed and qualities, and he showed them."

Captain Richard Keogh is also nursing a groin issue but is expected to feature while Ashley Cole and Craig Bryson remain sidelined.