Pascal Struijk will be missing on Saturday as Leeds United host Plymouth and Daniel Farke says he was joking with the defender, telling him he is better at 80% this season – than 100% fit last season.
The 24-year-old, until this point, has played every single minute of Championship football for Leeds. An injury to his hernia will see him ruled out this weekend, having undergone surgery – or the need to do so.
Struijk has been superb, even captaining Leeds in the last few weeks with Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling out of the side. But with Plymouth next and the international break, Struijk will be focusing on recovery.
Farke says Struijk has been playing with pain, at just 80%. He claimed that when he is fit, he could improve further. The Leeds boss also shared a joke in his press conference, as per the club’s YouTube.
He says he joked with Struijk that playing at 80%, he has been better than he was last term when 100% fit: “We were joking. He was so down after the last game, he felt so much pain and needed cheering up.
“I told him he plays better at 80%, than he does with 100% like last season if I’m honest. Not enough to convince him to keep going with pain. Right decision. If he comes back without pain, he can improve.”
Daniel Farke shares joke with Leeds United player Pascal Struijk
Losing Struijk is a blow. But Leeds do have strength in depth and captain Cooper will more than likely come in. Not a bad replacement. But losing a player in such good form is always going to be a big blow.
Hopefully, Struijk is fit and good to go after the international break. When the players return, it is a busy schedule. Five games in the space of about 18 days, starting with Rotherham on Friday 24, away.
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