Leeds United have been handed a huge boost ahead of Thursday's Premier League meeting with Leicester City.

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That's according to Conor McGilligan, with the Manchester Evening News journalist initially relaying the news on Twitter that, after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Foxes' draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, James Maddison will now be suspended for the visit of the Whites in midweek, before stating that this will come as a big boost to Jesse Marsch and his side.

In his post, McGilligan said: "James Maddison will miss the Leeds game on Thursday. MASSIVE boost for us."

"Massive boost"

Considering just how impressive Maddison has been in a struggling 19th-placed Leicester side so far this season, it is easy to see why McGilligan believes that the 25-year-old's absence on Thursday night will come as a massive boost to Leeds' chances of returning to Elland Road with all three points in tow.

Indeed, over his nine Premier League fixtures in 2022/23, the £43m-rated talent has been in sensational form, having already scored five goals, registered two assists and created two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 3.2 shots - 1.2 of which have hit the target - and making 2.3 key passes per game.

The attacking midfielder has also chipped in for his side in a defensive capacity, making an average of 2.2 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and winning 5.6 duels - at a success rate of 51% - per outing.

These returns have seen the £110k-per-week playmaker average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.44, not only ranking him by far and away as Brendan Rodgers' best performer in the league but also as the joint seventh-best player in the English top flight as a whole so far this term.

As such, it is clear to see that the absence of a player who carries the goal-threat, creativity and hard-working nature of Maddison will indeed come as a huge boost to Leeds' chances of picking up all three points at the King Power on Thursday night - a result Marsch will be desperate for in order to end his side's current six-game run without a win.