Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has expressed his concern for Stuart Dallas after he was stretchered off with a knee injury in the 4-0 home defeat against Manchester City on Saturday evening.
The 31-year-old was left hitting the ground in agony, following a challenge on Jack Grealish in first-half stoppage time, and he required medical attention before being taken away on a stretcher.
Speaking to the press after the match, Marsch provided a pessimistic update on the versatile midfielder, stating: "I want to talk about Stuart Dallas – we don't think it's good with his knee.
"Obviously with where we are in the season we'll miss him very much. He's the heart and soul of the group and at the forefront in terms of being a leader and someone who can stand up to big challenges.
"We're hopeful the prognosis is okay and he can have a speedy recovery and get himself back on the pitch soon. They've had a scan, I don't want to speak yet about exactly what it is but they say it's not great. We'll see.
"We have a lot of guys we're going to continue to draw on. I know Stuart is going to be missed in the team but you have to think about the person, the type of injury and hope he's going to be okay and come back strong."
Dallas was not the only Leeds player who picked up an injury on Saturday, as club captain Liam Cooper was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup before kickoff after feeling discomfort in his knee during the warm up.
"Liam had a weird feeling in his knee after making a pass in warm-up," Marsch added. "He will need a scan. We're hopeful it's not a major issue but we will see."
Leeds are already having top cope without Patrick Bamford, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts and Crysencio Summerville due to injury, though the former is hoping to return to training next week.
Goals from Man City quartet Rodri, Nathan Ake, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho condemned the Whites to their first defeat since March 10, and they now sit 17th in the Premier League table, five points above the relegation zone with 18th-placed Everton having played two games fewer.
Oliver Thomas
