Reliable Leeds United reporter Phil Hay has admitted it will be a ‘tight turn around’ for Raphinha to feature against Southampton this weekend.

The Lowdown: Raphinha shines

Raphinha has made his Brazil debut during the current international break, impressing off the bench with two assists in a win over Venezuela.

The 24-year-old then made another cameo as a substitute against Colombia, but couldn’t help his country find a winning goal in a 0-0 draw.

The Whites star now looks set to receive a first start for his country on Friday against Uruguay, which could have a knock-on effect for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

The Latest: Hay’s tweet

Hay, Leeds’ correspondent for The Athletic, quoted a tweet from south American outlet @geglobo regarding Raphinha’s pending full debut on Friday.

He admitted that Leeds had been confident that the winger would be at St Mary’s on Saturday, however, he ended his post by saying it will be a ‘tight turn around’ – a worrying three-word update.

The Verdict: Race against time…

Brazil’s meeting with Uruguay gets underway in the early hours of Friday morning UK time, so Raphinha will have around 36 hours to get back to England and be ready for the meeting with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side on Saturday afternoon.

Reports late on Wednesday evening suggested that Premier League sides have chartered a private jet to ensure that their South American players are back for the weekend, and if that is true, perhaps he will be ready to go for Leeds.

In other news: ‘He’s like Bielsa’s son’ – Pundit talks Leeds move for £16.2m-rated man; ‘Orta very big on him’.