Daniel Farke delivered a whole list of Leeds United injuries and doubts for Saturday’s clash against Coventry City during his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Leeds are preparing for their seventh Championship clash of the season when they take on Mark Robins’ Coventry. A side that have struggled so far this season despite reaching last season’s FA Cup semi-finals.
Robins remarkably finds himself under pressure having won just one of six Championship games so far, after taking Coventry close to the play-offs last season. It is still a side with plenty of second-tier quality.
Indeed, Coventry took five points off Leeds last term and boast stars such as Haji Wright and Ellis Simms. Leeds meanwhile are in solid form, winning three of the last four games after a 2-0 victory over Cardiff.
Leeds already have four clean sheets in six league games this season, even if Whites fans are a little bit concerned regarding Farke’s style of play. On Thursday, Farke said a number of Leeds players are doubts.
Pascal Struijk spotted in training despite Daniel Farke concern
Struijk has played every single minute for Leeds in the Championship so far and also came off the bench in the 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough. The Dutchman though, is a doubt for Saturday’s clash at Elland Road.
Speaking in his press conference, Farke said Struijk was a big question mark due to an adductor issue. It would be a huge blow, with Max Wober potentially having to undergo surgery to correct a knee problem.
But in the latest training video posted on LUTV ahead of the visit of Coventry, Struijk is seen engaging in training and taking part in all aspects including a game at the end of the session with Farke watching on.
If Struijk is unavailable, who partners Joe Rodon in defence?
It is promising that Struijk is seen completing a full session with Farke stating he is “carefully optimistic” but that Struijk needs to complete a session on Friday before being made available to play on Saturday.
Struijk was labelled “absolutely fantastic” by Jon Newsome on BBC Radio Leeds and if he is unavailable to play and with Wober ruled out, Leeds are suddenly suffering a bit of a crisis in the middle of defence.
Who could partner Rodon, if Struijk and Wober are unavailable?
- Ethan Ampadu
- Ilia Gruev
- James Debayo
- Reuben Lopata-White
Ampadu of course, is back in midfield. But the Leeds skipper partnered Rodon for the second half of last season in defence and they worked well together until the final few weeks of the Championship season.
Gruev could also drop in, allowing Ampadu to remain in midfield. Given he is left-footed, he might be a more-natural replacement for Struijk and Gruev has been used in central defence when with Bulgaria.
Farke mentioned Debayo in his press conference and he played in pre-season for Leeds. Debayo was one of six youngsters to fly to Germany, while Reuben Lopata-White has been in senior training of late.
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