Johnson ruled out for rest of season

Seth Johnson is out for the rest of the season as the Leeds midfielder requires immediate knee surgery.

Johnson has been plagued by injuries since his arrival from Derby 17 months ago, with the 24-year-old in particular troubled by a knee problem throughout this season.

Johnson would have been in line to face Middlesbrough at Elland Road tomorrow, the club who tried to sign him during January’s transfer window only for the move to fall through as he failed a medical because of the knee injury.

During his short time at Leeds Johnson has made just 27 appearances – only 18 of which have been starts – due to his bad luck with injuries.

“We’ve had quite a few players who have been unlucky this season,” reflected boss Terry Venables.

“It was felt it (surgery) needed to be done, but there was a chance we might get away with it, certainly until the end of the season.

“He’s been playing with it for quite a few games and he’s done pretty well, but now it’s caught up with him and the decision has had to be made.

“If we get it done now then it’s out of the way and he can get himself ready for next season, otherwise you leave it and leave it and he will get to pre-season and you don’t know if he will be right.

“At least now, touch wood, he will be clear to do his pre-season, but I’d imagine right now he is pretty low.”

Venables is also without hamstring-injury trio Dominic Matteo, Michael Duberry and Gary Kelly, while Harry Kewell is sidelined after failing to shake off a recurrence of a back injury sustained in last Sunday’s FA Cup sixth-round defeat at Sheffield United.

However, with Jason Wilcox fit following a bout of flu, the winger should return to the left side of midfield, with Raul Bravo dropping to left back, pushing Ian Harte to the bench.

Eirik Bakke and Nick Barmby are also in conention for midfield places after their recent recovery from injuries.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Robinson, Harte, Radebe, Viduka, Bravo, Barmby, McPhail, Lucic, Wilcox, Smith, Mills, Bakke, Okon, Kilgallon, Milner, Richardson, McMaster, Martyn.