Neil Redfearn: "Freakish set of events" led to injury withdrawals

Leeds United boss Neil Redfearn has explained that a "freakish set of events" was the reason why six players withdrew from his side's defeat to Charlton Athletic.

Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Dario Del Fabro, Marco Silvestri, Souleymane Doukara and Edgar Cani all pulled out of the fixture on Friday claiming that they were injured and unable to play at The Valley.

Redfearn has admitted that he was surprised by their claims, but has insisted that he had no problem taking their word for the reasons for their absences.

"It seems a freakish set of events," Redfearn told Sky Sports News. "Marco Silvestri got a knock after the Norwich game and we rested him thinking he would be available today but he came in on Friday and said he was still struggling so he couldn't travel.

"Antenucci and Cani declared themselves unfit after training Thursday and the other three boys came in and dropped out in training at various times through the session. It was only a light session Friday because we were planning towards the game.

"If the lads come in and say they're injured you've got to take them at face value. They're professional people and you expect them to do the right thing. If they're all injured then it's genuinely unlucky."

Leeds lost the match 2-1 as Charlton came from behind to secure the three points thanks to goals from Tony Watt and Yoni Buyens.