Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has been ruled out for at least a month...

What's the latest?

That's according to The Athletic's ever-reliable Phil Hay, who has revealed that the long-serving 31-year-old has undergone surgery ahead of today's Premier League clash at Crystal Palace.

"There's no Adam Forshaw again this afternoon. He's out for a month after a hernia op," he wrote when discussing team news pre-game.

Worry for Marsch

Forshaw has been absent since August with yet another injury and now manager Jesse Marsch will not be able to call upon the reliable (when fit) star in the next rung of important fixtures.

You only have to look at netbet  to see what the bookies think of the impact the injury has on the odds for Leeds United this campaign.

This should, of course, be a gutting blow to the American head coach as it ultimately leaves him not just light on central midfield options but also now lacking a leader in and around the dressing room.

The former Middlesbrough man is among six players that Marsch leans on for advice and feedback within the playing squad and speaking about him last season, the Leeds boss said:

"Adam’s an important player for us. He's a big leader for us. He helped set up [a] couple of goals with some of the plays he made. He's a very reliable leader and player for us. No question."

Indeed, Forshaw played an integral role in the Whites' survival bid last season, regularly featuring in the absence of Kalvin Phillips. His influence in the engine room was vital, combining tenacity with authority to get them over the line on the final day against Brentford.

The £20k-per-week Liverpudlian has registered four appearances for the first team this season, including a 90-minute display against Barnsley in the League Cup but his time at Elland Road over the last four years has been blighted by injury, restricting him to just 82 matches.

That said, when he has played, he has done what's asked of him, if not more, proving to be a key figure in around the dressing room and this latest setback has to be a worry for Marsch.

Without him, his only backup to Marc Roca and Tyler Adams is Mateusz Klich, who has struggled for form over the past 18 months, so whilst Forshaw isn't the first name on the team sheet, he's still a vital presence to have around and a solid backup on the pitch.

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