Joe Gelhardt offers Leeds hope amid more injury woes

It was shortly before the hour mark when Elland Road let out a collective gasp.

As Romain Saiss came haring in to challenge with Raphinha, the Brazilian knocked the ball past him before being sent up in the air. The free-kick was awarded for a handball offence by the Wolves defender, but the Leeds faithful could not drag their eyes away from the sight of Raphinha writhing in agony near the touchline.

The feeling has become all too familiar for them this season. An injury list the length of car insurance terms and conditions could be set to become even longer, joining key stars such as Luke Ayling, Patrick Bamford and Robin Koch on the sidelines.

The Brazilian had looked Leeds' only real attacking threat in a game in which they dominated the ball, but largely lacked a cutting edge. He had fired wide from the edge of the area just minutes before as the home side emerged for the second half intent on making their use of the ball count.

The injury could have zapped the life out of Leeds' performance, but Bielsa turned to his bench to try and save the day. Crysencio Summerville had replaced the departing Raphinha ten minutes earlier, and the 63rd minute substitution, withdrawing Mateusz Klich for 19-year-old Joe Gelhardt, proved the turning point for Leeds on the afternoon.

He took responsibility in possession, constantly showing for the ball and moving with a purpose. A performance which lacked punch in the final third suddenly contained a sharper edge. The 19-year-old had his side's biggest chance of the afternoon 12 minutes from time as he unleashed a rasping effort which only Jose Sa's fingertips prevented from sailing into the roof of the net.

His most meaningul contribution, however, arrived in stoppage time. Collecting the ball, he jinked his way into the penalty area and drew contact from Nelson Semedo. Where previously Leeds were content moving the ball side-to-side in the attacking third, Gelhardt was prepared to ask questions of the Wolves backline. Rodrigo dispatched the resulting penalty, with the senior members of the Leeds team making a beeline for the youngster in the goal celebrations.

Gelhardt's cameo offers Leeds hope at a crucial juncture of the season, where their list of absences threatens to leave them with an uphill struggle in the second portion of the campaign. In the absence of Phillips' creativity from midfield, Ayling's attacking threat from deep, Raphinha's magic touch and Bamford's goalscoring nous, Leeds need to find inspiration from elsewhere. Gelhardt could be the answer.

Expectations will be tempered by Bielsa given it was Gelhardt's first senior appearance at Elland Road, but Leeds are approaching needs-must territory and they cannot afford to overlook players capable of making the difference in the final third. It was only seven days ago that they travelled to St. Mary's and failed to register a shot on target in defeat to Southampton.

In the end, Gelhardt registered 18 touches of the ball, 13 of which were inside the penalty area. Given Rodrigo's propensity to drop deep, and Dan James looking wholly uncomfortably playing in a more central area, the stage is set for Gelhardt to build on his impressive cameo.

Phillips is likely to return for next weekend's trip to Norwich, while the Leeds faithful will be keeping their fingers crossed Raphinha's ailment is only minor. But for a moment this afternoon they stopped cursing their bad luck, as they heralded a new star in Joe Gelhardt.