Daniel Farke was without Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk once again on Monday night as The Whites played out a 0-0 bore-draw with promotion rivals Burnley at Turf Moor.
A proper stalemate in Lancashire that saw Leeds largely dominate the ball and territory, and arguably having more half-chances than Scott Parker’s men. Dan James produced the game’s only shot on target.
Slightly nervy given the importance of the match and the swing that would take place if Leeds or Burnley got three points. The draw sees Leeds sit two ahead of Sheffield United and then three in front of Burnley.
That’s now 12 games unbeaten for Leeds in all competitions ahead of Saturday’s clash against Cardiff City at Elland Road, a game Leeds will be expected to win and Struijk could be available to help them do that.
Daniel Farke ‘hopeful’ that Pascal Struijk could face Cardiff City
Of course, there were concerns that Struijk had mirrored last season when Farke said that the defender might be out for three months if the tendon was involved in a hamstring injury he picked up in training.
But ahead of Burnley, Farke said it was “good news” for Struijk. The tendon was not involved and he would only be sidelined for a matter of weeks and after Burnley, Farke gave an update on the defender.
He told reporters that Struijk could be fit to face Cardiff on Saturday: “I hope we can invole him during this week. We don’t have that much time before Cardiff but I hope we can involve him pretty soon.”
Who does Pascal Struijk replace if he is fit to face Cardiff?
There is no way that Ethan Ampadu is dropped out of the side upon Struijk’s return and he will be pushed up the park into the Leeds midfield. Ao Tanaka is likely to retain his place in the side alongside Ampadu.
It means that if Struijk is fit, Ilia Gruev will drop out of the side after Gruev started his first game for Leeds since October against Burnley on Monday night. Joe Rothwell will continue to warm the bench.
However, if Saturday does come too soon for Struijk and there is every chance that it might, Ampadu will remain at centre-back. But given Leeds will dominate, it is likely that Rothwell comes back in for Gruev.
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