Leeds United have been handed a potential early boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
What's the latest?
In comments cited by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Patrick Vieira revealed that Joachim Andersen missed his side's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon as a result of a calf injury picked up in training the day prior.
The 46-year-old also went on to state that Nathaniel Clyne - who was forced off in the first half after colliding with Thiago Silva - was immediately sent to hospital following his withdrawal from the match.
Regarding the right-back's knock, Vieira said: "I didn't have the chance to speak with the doctor yet. The thing I know is that he went straight away to the hospital."
The former France international then added on the centre-back's current condition: "He trained with us [on Friday] morning and he felt something on his calf. That's why he wasn't involved [on Saturday]."
Good news for Marsch
Considering how important a part of the Palace side both Andersen and Clyne have been so far this season, Vieira's suggestion that the defensive duo could be doubts for the visit of Leeds this weekend is undoubtedly good news for Jesse Marsch and his side.
Indeed, Andersen has been incredibly important for the Eagles since signing and has demonstrated as much this term in their six Premier League fixtures so far.
The £26m-rated centre-back has been in imperious form, helping his side keep one clean sheet and scoring one goal, as well as making an average of 1.7 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 9.8 clearances and winning 6.0 duels - at a success rate of 71% - per game.
These returns have seen the Denmark international average a simply sensational SofaScore match rating of 7.38, not only ranking him as Palace's best performer in the league but also as the 17th-best player in the top flight as a whole in 2022/23.
Furthermore, the Dane was able to keep a certain Kylian Mbappe quiet over the international break, forming part of a defence that kept a shut out in a stunning 2-0 win.
As for Clyne's six league fixtures this term, the 31-year-old full-back has made an average of 1.3 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.5 key passes and winning 2.2 duels - at a success rate of 54% - per game.
As such, should either Andersen or Clyne be ruled out of Sunday's meeting, it is clear to see that it would come as a huge boost to the Whites' chances of taking all three points back to Elland Road - a result Marsch will be desperate for in order to bring an end to his side's current four-match winless streak.