It came as an enormous blow when, out of nowhere, Daniel Farke confirmed Leeds United midfielder Sean Longstaff would be out for some time after picking up a calf problem.
It was out of the blue. Leeds fans had expected to be missing Anton Stach when Farke took his players to The Etihad, but losing Longstaff came as a blow. Longstaff could miss as many as eight Leeds matches.
Who was your Leeds MOTM against Manchester City?
Leeds were without three players on Saturday, with Stach observing concussion protocol after picking up a knock to his head during the 2-1 loss to Villa. Stach has certainly been in the wars since joining Leeds.
A broken rib, a broken finger and now, a concussion. But Stach is set to return for Chelsea on Wednesday, while Sebastiaan Bornauw has a niggling MCL issue. Now, Farke confirmed Dan James has a new injury.
Daniel Farke says Dan James has picked up a hamstring injury
Farke was praised for being proactive on Saturday. Many felt his decision to take off James and Willy Gnonto almost orchestrated a stunning comeback, only for the brilliance of Phil Foden to deny that.
But speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, in quotes that have slipped slightly under the radar over the last 24 hours, Farke confirmed that James had to come off due to injury and could be out for a while.
“Dan James reported some hamstring injuries at half time so it could be that he has done his hamstring. We have to wait for further assessment. It didn’t look too good so it could be he is out for a while.”
A performance to be proud of after that first-half showing! Relive what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon here 😤
Who starts ahead of Dan James against Chelsea on Wednesday?
Farke has some huge decisions to make ahead of Wednesday. After the performance at City, Farke could rip up the script he has created and switch formation to a 3-5-2, which worked so well in the second half.
There are only a handful of players that can be confident they will start. Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and given Longstaff remains sidelined, Ao Tanaka can be assured they will be in Wednesday’s starting XI.
Lucas Perri struggled again. If Farke reverts to a four-man defence, he will have to choose between Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, while Farke confirmed James Justin is fit and he could start on either side.
Jayden Bogle has been below par and Gabi Gudmundsson was dropped. Stach will be hoping he is fit but Ilia Gruev did well on Saturday, and then there is the complete unknown, which is Leeds’ final third.
A 3-5-2 would see Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha start up top. But a 4-3-3 means Farke will have to pick wingers and either Calvert-Lewin or Nmecha to lead the line. Some huge decisions to make.
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