Leeds United warm-up not to blame for Pablo Hernandez's injury woes as Marcelo Bielsa issues update
Pablo Hernandez is now doubtful for Leeds United's Boxing Day clash against Preston North End
Marcelo Bielsa says Leeds United's warm-up wasn't to blame for Pablo Hernandez's early substitution at Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
The Whites playmaker had to be replaced within a minute of kick-off at Craven Cottage after pulling up with what appeared to be a hamstring issue during his sides first attack.
Gjanni Alioski stepped off the bench with the Spaniard unable to continue as Leeds fell to a 2-1 defeat in the capital - their first defeat in Championship action since early October.
Bielsa, though, believed the issue was neither down to bad luck or United's pre-match routine.
"It is never bad luck," Bielsa said.
"Muscular injuries are not bad luck. If for a problem of incoordination, weird movement or a movement that is not natural can create an injury.
"But it wasn't the case. Of course the warming up is something we control very well. We take a lot of care about the warm up. So I don't think it is linked with that."
Bielsa now faces an anxious wait to see how long he may be without Hernandez's services of the busy festive period, and did admit post-match he was unlikely to feature against Preston North End on Boxing Day.
"I think so, it will be a problem," he conceded.