Leeds United may have two weeks to stew over their heart-breaking draw at Sunderland, but the extra time off could allow them to welcome some injured bodies back to full fitness.
Several Leeds players are set to jet off to represent their respective countries in the coming days and Daniel Farke will be keeping everything crossed no one comes back injured ahead of the meeting with Sheffield United.
Leeds were just moments away from coming with a 2-1 victory at Championship leaders Sunderland on Friday night with an extremely threadbare squad.
Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Manor Solomon, Dan James and Max Wober were all absent at the Stadium of Light, and if it wasn’t for Illan Meslier’s late error, they would’ve picked up a precious three points.
Leeds looked out on their feet in the closing stages on Wearside following the short turnaround from Tuesday night’s long trip to Norwich City, but defended brilliantly to almost see out the win.
- READ MORE: Pascal Struijk shares what he spotted in Sunderland’s pitch after Illan Meslier error for Leeds
Farke provides Manor Solomon and Dan James injury update
Farke left it very late to make any substitutions in the game last night as he had very little in the way of like-for-like replacements on the bench.
Mateo Joseph was Leeds’ first sub in the 76th minute, with Isaac Schmidt and Sam Byram also coming on in stoppage time to try shut up shop.
Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have both had extremely busy weeks after a period of matches in September with very limited game time, and so for them to get through 90 minutes was impressive.
Largie Ramazani and Wilfried Gnonto also played almost the entire game, despite Farke’s post Norwich comments on the former’s need to build up his fitness.
However, it looks as though Leeds will at least have some options to change it out wide in their next match against Sheffield United, with Farke hopeful both Solomon and James will be back fit.
He told Leeds Live: “Solomon and James will hopefully come back. Hoping Wober will be back soon. Will last a bit.”
- READ MORE: Daniel Farke shares how Illan Meslier reacted in the dressing room after costly Leeds United error
Solomon has decision after Israel call-up
It has been known for a while that James would not be back until after the October international break, and so at this stage, it would appear he is on track.
However, it is not quite the same for Solomon. Initially, he only missed the game against Cardiff City due to a back issue. That then changed into a hamstring injury.
It had been hoped Solomon would be back for last night’s game but unfortunately that was not the case, but he now has a decision to make after being named in Israel’s latest squad.
With Solomon the poster boy for Israeli football, clearly he loves playing for his country. However, it would be a very bad look for him to miss four Leeds games in a row, and then jet off to play for Israel.
If he was to do that and then get injured, it would immediately put Leeds supporters on his back, which is not what he wants to do.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
