Radebe joins injury list

Lucas Radebe has become the latest casualty to join Leeds’ growing injury list and now faces a considerable spell on the sidelines.

Centre-back Radebe limped off midway through the second half of last night’s return leg of Leeds’ UEFA Cup second round clash against Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Florence.

The South Africa international has today undergone a scan, and although the results are not yet known, Leeds manager Terry Venables has revealed that Radebe has either “ruptured or torn his groin”.

Venables added: “The news isn’t good on Lucas and it now looks as if he’s going to be out for some while.”

Radebe had taken over the captain’s armband from Dominic Matteo, who only last week was ruled out for three months with a knee injury.

It leaves Leeds short of cover at the heart of their defence, although Jonathan Woodgate is likely to return for Sunday’s Elland Road clash with Bolton after missing the last two matches with his own groin problem.

Venables also has Sweden international Teddy Lucic available again after he missed the 4-1 win over Hapoel through ineligibility.

But Radebe’s loss comes as a considerable blow for Leeds as he had been in fine form this season following his return from the World Cup finals, skippering his country in Japan and South Korea after winning a 14-month-long battle against knee injuries.

Venables was understandably saddened to lose Radebe, as he added: “There are very few true champions in this game, but Lucas is one of those.

“He has played for us against the odds this season due to his knee problems, but he has come through at times when we have needed him most.”