Ex-Leeds United striker Noel Whelan thinks it will be a big blow for the Whites if they miss the services of Eunan O’Kane for their crucial Championship game against Newcastle United on Sunday.
O’Kane, who was snapped up by Leeds from Premier League outfit Bournemouth on a two-year deal in the summer, picked up a groin injury whilst on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
The attacking midfielder played no part in his nation’s 1-0 win over Austria in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday as he was sent home early.
O’Kane has thus far made 11 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, managing two assists.
And Whelan, who feels O’Kane has been one of the most consistent players for Leeds, insisted that the Yorkshire giants will miss the 26-year-old against the Championship leaders at the weekend, should he fail to be fit for the game.
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However, the 41-year-old was quick to add that he is hopeful about O’Kane being available against Newcastle, with the former Bournemouth man returning to Elland Road early.
“Our Irish international midfielder Eunan O’Kane had to fly home early during the international break with a groin injury”, he wrote in his column in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“And I think Eunan has probably been one of the most consistent players for Leeds.
“Everyone has been playing at the top of their game but when I look at him and the calmness that he brings to the team and the way he gets back in to defend and gets himself into the right positions, that’s experience.
“And if you lose somebody with that kind of experience and that calmness about a team then you are going to miss them.
“But hopefully coming back early is going to give him another week to get himself right and the club can assess him and see what they need to do to try and make it that he’s in the starting line-up for Sunday’s match.”
O’Kane, who is yet to score for Leeds, has thus far earned five senior caps for the Republic of Ireland.
