Norris out for a month in Leeds injury crisis

Norris will miss up to four weeks of the season with an injury diagnosed in the days after last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road.

The 31-year-old completed 90 minutes against Blackburn but an examination of his injury revealed a torn muscle, adding him to a casualty list which already includes Paul Green.

Manager Neil Warnock saw his midfield ranks depleted last month by the loss of Green to a knee injury – the ex-Derby County player is likely to be absent until early October – and Norris’ set-back is threatening to leave him short of options when Leeds visit Cardiff City a week tomorrow.

United also have doubts over the fitness of Michael Brown, who is carrying a hamstring strain, and Norris’ injury will almost certainly intensify the search for loan signings when the Football League’s emergency window opens tonight.

Warnock, who has previously voiced concern about a ”thin squad” at Elland Road, said: “It’s another blow and I’m really disappointed for him. He’s had a great start to the season.

“He’ll be looking at three to four weeks so it’s not long-term but we’ve already lost Paul Green and we’ve got Michael Brown struggling with a hamstring strain. We’re looking thin in that area now.”

Norris has started and finished all four of United’s Championship fixtures this season, developing a promising partnership with Rodolph Austin in the centre of midfield, but his injury could rule him out of as many as six games.

Leeds have five league matches scheduled before their Yorkshire derby with Barnsley on October 6 and the club are also due to meet Everton in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, September 25.

United saw Ramon Nunez, their transfer-listed forward, damage a cruciate knee ligament in a youth-team game on Monday - an injury which could force him to miss most of the season - and right-back Paul Connolly is set to return early from a month-long loan at Portsmouth after aggravating a groin problem.

Connolly, who is also in the transfer list at Elland Road and underwent surgery on a hernia in the summer, and is destined for the treatment room at Thorp Arch after limping out of Portsmouth’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.