Daniel Farke hints at shock striker option at Leeds United after Patrick Bamford injury

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It’s fair to say goalscoring hasn’t really been much of a problem for Daniel Farke’s Leeds United in recent weeks.

No team in the Championship has more goals than the Yorkshire giants, taking their tally to 48 from 26 matches during the 3-3 draw with Hull City last time out.

But, as Leeds prepare to face Harrogate Town in the FA Cup third round this weekend, the strenght in depth at Farke’s disposal could come into question for the first time in a while.

During his press conference on Thursday afternoon, Farke confirmed that Joel Piroe is ‘struggling’ with a muscle injury and will be unavailable for the visit of their League Two opponents. Patrick Bamford is also set for an extended period on the sidelines with his latest injury more serious than initially thought.

At least Leeds United do still have Mateo Joseph available.

And, if push comes to shove, Farke also has the option of using wideman Willy Gnonto in a role he has not played since the opening game of the 2023/24 Championship season against Cardiff City.

Daniel Farke open to striker role for Leeds United winger Willy Gnonto

“We have Piroe, Joseph, young prospects and Gnonto could play striker,” Farke tells reporters. “We are not in panic mode.”

Gnonto has played exclusively as a winger for the last 18 months. But, with Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Dan James all options to start out wide, the Italy international could yet be shifted to a more central position without Leeds needing to worry about their options on the flanks.

Farke also confirms that, while Piroe will be unavailable to play against Harrogate, Junior Firpo and Illia Gruev are stepping up their returns after a recent injury absence.

“Joel Piroe is struggling with muscular problems so we won’t risk him at the weekend,” the former Norwich City boss says. “Junior Firpo is back in team training which is a big boost for us. Illia Gruev is back in trainining.

“I have just two concerns at the minute. Patrick Bamford, and the second is an ongoing knee problem for Max Wober, who was unable to train this week. He struggles with his knee.

“Sadly I have to confirm it is more of a serious injury for Bamford. It is a hamstring injury and he will be out for more or less four weeks, but it could be longer. There is a small chance he is back by the end of January.”

Patrick Bamford injured again as Wrexham play down transfer claims

Leeds’ long-serving number nine has not started a single Championship game this season, all of his ten appearances coming from the bench.

Bamford has been tipped to swap Leeds for Wrexham in the division below. But Phil Parkinson, the manager of the ambitious, deep pocketed League One outfit, suggested this week that Wrexham are happy with their current striking options, Jack Marriott set to return imminently from a broken leg which has kept him out of action since October.

“We’re always looking to see if a player comes available who we think can improve us as we’ve got the resources to try and get that player,” Parkinson says.

“But equally, we’ve got Jack Marriott, who did really well for us at the start of the season, coming back in a couple of weeks as well.

“I don’t bring someone in for the sake of it and disrupt the group, but we’re looking all the time, and speak to clubs and agents.

“If we feel they can add that extra bit of quality, which might help us get over the line at the end of the season, then of course we will go for that.”