Junior Firpo ‘out for a while’ after being stretchered off with oxygen in defeat to Aston Villa, who send wishes to injured defender

Leeds defender Junior Firpo is expected to be out of action for an extended period after leaving the field in a their defeat to Aston Villa in a stretcher while being administered oxygen.

The left-back spent a long time on the ground during stoppage time in the 3-0 loss before being carried off by medics.

Firpo hit the ground during a challenge from Villa winger Emi Buendia, which injured his left leg.

The summer signing from Barcelona then had his leg put in a brace, and received oxygen before being carried from the Elland Road pitch.

New manager Jesse Marsch only offered a brief update on the injury, but it didn’t sound positive.

“We don’t know yet but it’s probably something on the inside of his knee like an MCL [medial collateral ligament] so we’ll evaluate that and see where’s he at,” Marsch said.

“I would guess it keeps him out for a while.”

Teammate Raphinha looked very concerned when he saw Firpo in pain, while Villa sent their best wishes to the stricken player, tweeting: “Wishing all the best to Junior Firpo, who leaves the field after suffering an injury.”

The 25-year-old defender moved to Yorkshire from Spanish giants Barca last summer in a £12.6million move.

Firpo, a versatile player at the back, has featured in 23 of Leeds’ 32 games in all competitions, but is now set to spend some time on the sidelines.

Firpo had already had a tough night pre-injury when he was easily beaten by Villa defender Matty Cash who then scored the visitors’ second goal of the night.

The defeat, Leeds’ sixth in a row, leaves them two points from the relegation zone while Everton and Burnley below them both have multiple games in hand.

The Whites’ first game without Firpo comes in the shape of the Premier League’s bottom side Norwich on March 13, a must-win clash if Leeds are to plot their path to survival.