Leeds United defender Junior Firpo will ‘be frustrated’ at his latest injury setback after what has been a stop-start beginning to his time at Elland Road, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 25-year-old arrived from Barcelona last summer via a £12.8 million deal, replacing Ezgjan Alioski at left-back following his departure on a free transfer.

What is the latest news involving Firpo?

Firpo has only been able to feature in 19 of Leeds’s 29 Premier League games to date, with just 15 of those coming as starts due to numerous fitness concerns.

He’s also yet to feature from the off in over five consecutive top-flight fixtures but appeared to have the faith of new manager Jesse Marsch, who selected him in his opening two encounters at the helm.

However, The Athletic’s Leeds reporter Phil Hay revealed that Firpo would be unable to play any part in their much-needed victory over Norwich City last time out due to a problem with his knee.

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic on Sunday morning ahead of the visit of the Canaries, Hay admitted that fans of the west Yorkshire outfit shouldn’t expect to see the full-back in action for a while.

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He revealed prior to the match: “There’s no Junior Firpo today. He’s going to be out for a little while with this knee injury by the sounds of things.”

This most recent misfortune will come as a blow to both the player and to Marsch as the American will surely need his best players available if he’s to guide the Whites to safety.

What has Jones said about Firpo?

Jones believes the news will be a ‘really strange one’ for Firpo, who was ‘going to get a chance to prove himself again’ under the new management structure at Leeds.

He told GiveMeSport: “A really strange one for Firpo himself because he'll be frustrated that just as he thought he was going to get a chance to prove himself again, it hasn't worked out.”

Can Leeds avoid relegation?

Former manager Marcelo Bielsa was relieved of his duties following a run of five defeats in six games which left Leeds just two points above the relegation zone.

Sunday’s victory over Norwich was their first since 16 January and has moved them four points clear of 18^th-placed Watford, although both Everton and Burnley have multiple games in hand.

It remains to be seen if Marsch can secure a third consecutive season in the Premier League for Leeds, but games against the Hornets and Brentford could prove to be pivotal.