Daniel Farke names ‘major doubt’ in Leeds United squad vs Oxford but £11m player out with injury

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Leeds United can guarantee a place in the Championship’s top two heading into Christmas with a win over Oxford United at Elland Road.

Leeds currently sit second in the table just a point clear of Burnley in third, and two ahead of Sunderland in fourth.

Against a side who have picked up just two points from their nine away matches so far, nothing less than a win will do for Leeds, who will be pleased to be back at home after another tough game on the road last time out.

With back-to-back away matches coming up between Christmas and New Year, that also makes this game all the more important, as Leeds are still searching to replicate that home form on their travels.

David Prutton has backed Leeds to win comfortably and the key to that will be remaining patient, against a side likely to defend very deep.

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Farke makes decision on Pascal Struijk and Max Wober

Leeds were without just Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev last weekend but have two new fresh injury doubts heading into this one.

Unfortunately, both of them come at the back with Pascal Struijk labelled as a ‘major doubt‘ after some hamstring tightness this week, and Max Wober still experiencing some knee pain.

Their absences would leave Leeds very short on the left side of defence, but according to Leeds Live, one of them will be in the squad today.

As per the report, Struijk seems to have overcome the muscular issue and is therefore fit enough to be in the squad. Whether that’s in the starting XI, remains to be seen.

On the other hand, it has been reported that £11m Wober has not been named in Leeds’ squad this afternoon, which is probably a wise decision.

Wober has been dealing with these sort of knee issues all season and so with a busy period up ahead where he will be needed, it is a wise decision to let him rest up.

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What could Leeds’ back four look like vs Oxford?

Struijk’s inclusion would allow Daniel Farke to name an unchanged back four from the one that drew at Preston North End.

Sam Byram will continue at left-back in Wober’s absence, though it has to be said that this feels like a decent game to give Isaac Schmidt a full debut.

One of Ethan Ampadu, James Debayo or Josuhua Guilavogui would’ve been hoping to take Struijk’s place, but it appears that won’t be needed.

Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon make up the remainder of the back four.