Leeds United were hit with yet another injury blow in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road.
The Whites were forced to come from behind to earn a point at Daniel Farke‘s former club as Largie Ramazani netted his second for the club with a fine finish.
Ramazani powered home from a lovely Wilfried Gnonto through ball, with the Italian once again Leeds’ star man after his impressive display against Coventry City.
Leeds were already without five first team stars in Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober, Dan James, Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt for the game in Norfolk.
And with such a tight turnaround for Friday night’s trip to Sunderland, Leeds’ squad already feels on its last legs considering the substitutes at Farke’s disposal.
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Farke shares update on Leeds ace Ilia Gruev
This time last week Farke had been spoilt for choice for options in midfield but he looks set to be down to the barebones at the Stadium of Light.
Ilia Gruev was starting in his preferred holding midfield role but was forced off just 20 minutes into the game after seemingly picking up a knock during the incident that led to Norwich’s penalty.
Like Ampadu, Gruev tried and failed to run the problem off and so was replaced by Joe Rothwell, who got his first substantial number of league minutes in a Leeds shirt.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Farke admitted Gruev’s injury does not look good but will find out more after scans at some point today.
He said: “Not good enough to keep going. Knee injury. Struggled to turn. Have to wait for the assessment. Tomorrow there will be a scan. Does not look great at the moment.
“Ao and Joe stepped up. Second half, positioning, first game together, we were open and could not control their counters. No criticism.
“Happy they delivered, especially Ao and Joe in their first proper league game. We will learn from this and improve positioning. Compliments to these lads in these circumstances.”
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Charlie Crew could now step up for Leeds
With Ampadu out for 10 weeks, any substantial period on the sidelines for Gruev will leave Charlie Crew as Leeds’ only backup midfielder.
Crew was likely to have to step up even with Gruev fit but this latest issue means he is almost certainly set to get an opportunity in the coming weeks.
It is impossible to think both Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka can play every minute of every game until both are back fit.
Farke has talked up Crew’s potential before and now needs to put his words into action by trusting him with some minutes.
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