Daniel Farke shares when Leeds United star Pascal Struijk will return from injury

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All eyes were on Thursday afternoon’s press conference as reporters awaited Daniel Farke’s update on Leeds United defender Pascal Struijk and whether he would be out for weeks, or months.

News of Struijk’s hamstring injury emerged last week and it has since seen him miss Sheffield Wednesday and then Norwich City on Wednesday night. Farke said it could be a three-week injury, or three months.

Leeds lack cover for Struijk. Ethan Ampadu has dropped into defence for the last two games and while Leeds have kept clean sheets in those matches, Farke said Ampadu is not a long-term option in defence.

Max Wober continues to struggle with a knee issue and James Debayo remains a rookie, only playing on one occasion. Indeed, Farke recently said that Debayo could be allowed to leave Leeds temporarily.

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Daniel Farke has ‘good news’ regarding Pascal Struijk’s injury

The concern was that the tendon could be involved with Struijk’s hamstring injury. If it was involved, then Struijk – who has wore the captain’s armband on numerous occasions – might be out until April or May.

However, Farke told reporters on Thursday that thankfully for Leeds and Struijk, the tendon is not an issue and that Struijk could return to team training as early as next week, towards the end of the month.

“The re scan was very good. The tendon was not involved. We can be more progressive with his rehab. We have him outside, a few more days and have him back in team training. At some point next, it looks good. He won’t be out for 10 weeks, some good news.”

Pascal Struijk news means Leeds unlikely to enter transfer window

It is a massive boost for Leeds. There were concerns for Struijk that he might be sidelined for almost the rest of the season, with 18 games left to play. Struijk of course, suffered a big injury last season in January.

But it is good news. However, it means Farke is unlikely to want to enter the January window for a centre-back. However, it could allow Leeds to send Debayo out on loan until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Focus will now be placed on getting Struijk back in training and getting his rehab right, while also getting Wober back into a position where he is able to play. Ampadu of course, is a very solid option in defence.