Leeds United are reeling from two key injuries that have rocked Daniel Farke’s squad over the last week, with both Sean Longstaff and Dan James suffering long-term issues.
Ahead of the Man City clash, Daniel Farke confirmed Sean Longstaff had picked up a calf injury, and it could keep the midfielder sidelined for eight games. He was absent for the 3-2 defeat at Man City.
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Then, on Tuesday, Farke confirmed Dan James had suffered a hamstring injury. The German manager said that James had come off at half-time due to injury after Man City, and delivered an update on Tuesday.
James certainly won’t be seen in a Leeds shirt until the new year, and it could even be worse. There is still a chance the Wales winger will require surgery, a hammer blow for James, especially in a World Cup year.
Daniel Farke says Dan James injury could force January hand
With James now set to be missing until the end of January, Farke was asked during Tuesday’s press conference if the former Swansea star’s injury could force him to enter January looking for a replacement.
Farke responded by reminding reporters that Leeds had already tried to sign attackers at the end of the summer, but admitted James’ injury would “influence” the club’s plans going into the winter window.
“Yes, it is a while until January, still four weeks away and where we are there we will see how long it will last [James’ injury],” Farke said during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the clash against Chelsea.
“He’s an important player for us. In the summer, we spoke about doing more in the offensive positions. It influences your planning for January. But right now, we are fully focused on the upcoming games.”
Daniel Farke delivers devastating Dan James injury news 🤕
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Regardless of James’ injury, Farke is likely to have been preparing his side to play without wingers and James would have been back on the bench anyway. That is because his 3-5-2 switch worked at Man City.
Switching to two up front worked perfectly, pegging Man City back and forcing Pep Guardiola to stage an on-the-pitch team talk in order to regain control. Eventually, City won 3-2, but it was promising for Leeds.
The chances are then, that James won’t be directly replaced by another winger – like Brenden Aaronson – against Chelsea. Instead, a new formation will mean that another centre-back and a striker get to start.
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