manager Jesse Marsch has called for more protection for strikers from Premier League referees after Crysencio Summerville was ruled out for a month.
The forward, who announced himself at the club with four goals in as many matches before the break, was forced off with an ankle injury after a tackle from Tom Sang in last Sunday’s tie at Cardiff.
Marsch, whose side play at Aston Villa in the Premier League tonight, admitted he was unhappy with some of the challenges on both Summerville and Willy Gnonto in Cardiff.
‘Crysencio Summerville is out for a month with an ankle injury,’ said the American coach. ‘The ankle injury sustained in the Cardiff match is a little bit of a talking point for me.
‘Between Cree and Willy specifically, opponents have tried to bully them, they have a hard time containing them and I don’t think refs have protected those two well enough.
‘It’s made them susceptible to injury. I’d like to see referees protect attacking players a little better.’
But Marsch stated he would not be approaching the referees’ governing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), directly about the issue.
‘I have tried to eliminate most discussions about the referees or with the referees, either in the media or behind closed doors because I haven’t found it to be very useful,’ added the American.
Summerville has joined fellow forward Luis Sinisterra (foot) in the treatment room, while Marsch confirmed Patrick Bamford will return to the squad for the trip to Villa after recovering from groin surgery. He said: ‘In those moments you feel bad for Cree. He’s in a good moment but he took a whack at Elche [a friendly during the World Cup] that he never came back from and he’s taken more whacks in the matches recently. It’s disappointing because you want the team to have the chance to be at its best with our full complement of players.’
Marsch refused to discuss any transfer activity amid reports the club are closing in on a club-record deal to sign Hoffenheim striker Georginio Rutter for £35.4million. The France Under-21 international was reportedly due to fly into Leeds last night for a medical.
Liam Cooper and Illan Meslier are in contention to feature tonight after muscle strains. Recent signing Max Wober is hoping to start while Tyler Adams, Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Jack Harrison and Marc Roca should all return.
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