As Pascal Struijk limped off during the dying stages at Kenilworth Road – compounding Daniel Farke’s frustration after a 1-1 draw with Luton Town – the feeling amongst the travelling Leeds United support will have been that, when the drizzle arrives, a downpour usually follows in its wake.
Leeds United’s season has been interrupted frequently by numerous injury issues.
Patrick Bamford made his first appearance since New Years’ Day off the bench in Bedfordshire. Ethan Ampadu only recently returned after five games out. Max Wober was also back in selection too.
But just as Leeds’ issues appeared to be diminishing – Willy Gnonto is feeling ‘really good’ himself after picking up a knock on Italy Under-21 duty – Daniel Farke saw Pascal Struijk hobble his way down the tunnel on a day in which Mateo Joseph and Joe Rothwell were both rendered unavailable.
Daniel Farke ‘sucker punch’ as Leeds United lose Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell
Rothwell missed out due to a calf injury. Joseph, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen after a bout of illness.
And with Struijk having already missed a month of action in 2025, Farke will now find himself once again praying on the fitness of a key player ahead of the impending six-game run-in.
While desperate to take the positives from a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to a relegation-threatened yet revitalised Luton Town outfit, Farke’s tone shifted when asked about the injury which brought a premature end to Struijk’s afternoon.
The Dutch-born defender made way with 86 minutes on the clock.
Thus, necessitating Wober’s first Championship appearance since the enthralling 3-3 draw with Hull – two more points thrown away on the road – in the beginning of February.
Farke, in his post-match presser, labelled the injuries suffered by Struijk and Rothwell as a ‘sucker punch’. A jab into the ribs of an already winded team.
Rothwell, the German suggests, may face a race against time featuring again before the curtain falls on the Championship campaign. Struijk, meanwhile, is likely be assessed in the coming hours and days.
“Mateo Joseph is ill and Rothwell is out with a calf injury in training,” Farke says. “Then, Pascal had to go out for the last few moments.
“I expect Rothwell will be out for the next three weeks, or next four games. We will try bring him back as quick as possible.
“Pascal, I’m not sure.”
Farke with mixed feelings as Dan James salves a point at Luton Town
Ao Tanaka has fallen some way off his usual standards in recent weeks. And, after returning from representing Japan over the international break, the fans’ favourite midfielder again struggled to dictate proceedings against an aggressive Luton outfit.
Ampadu was the more effective of the two in the centre of the park. Though, with Struijk now facing a spell out of the team, Leeds captain may be forced back into a defensive role with Ilya Gruev perhaps the most likely candidate to take Rothwell’s place.
“It’s always difficult [when you concede first],” Farke adds, Isaiah Jones giving Luton a 15th minute lead before Dan James curled home a stunning equaliser on the half-hour. “Then, the other team can then concentrate on being solid at the back.
“Being in the lead in an away game one day would be nice. This was a hard fought point. We knew it would be a difficult game today. Luton played in the Premier League last season.
“Many of [Luton’s players] played Premier League and many of them are under performing, but they are on the up. It’s always a difficult game. The pitch is not the easiest one. There is no other stadium where ball is in play less.
“We needed to be ready for physical game and we were. We stayed cool and equalised with a great finish from Dan James.
“When they don’t take much risks, we have to be a bit patient.”
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