Leeds United star hit with immediate three-match ban after post-match incident at Millwall

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Leeds United have been dealt a major suspension blow ahead of their upcoming clash with Queens Park Rangers.

The Whites will be looking to return to winning ways after suffering just their second defeat of the season away at Millwall in midweek.

However, that loss has come at a further cost for Leeds ahead of the final match before the international break.

Daniel Farke confirmed Leeds have no fresh injury issues heading into the game but he will be without a key member of his starting XI for the next three matches.

Leeds have already had to deal with suspensions to Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle this season, with both already having picked up five bookings.

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Junior Firpo hit with three-match ban for Leeds

After serving a one-match ban at Bristol City recently, Firpo is now also set to miss the next three games following an incident after full-time at Millwall.

Via the official FA Spokesperson’s Twitter account this morning, Firpo has been retrospectively banned for an alleged headbutt on Millwall defender Danny McNamara.

The incident was not spotted by the officials at the time which is why the FA have been able to revisit the incident and hand him a suspension.

Firpo is said to have denied the charge but the first of his three-match ban will begin in today’s match against QPR at Elland Road.

The former Barcelona defender will also miss the trip to Swansea City, and home clash against Luton Town after the international break.

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Who could replace Firpo in Leeds’ starting XI?

Farke has two options to replace Firpo at left-back and based on his selections when he and Bogle were out previously, it seems pretty likely who he will pick.

Farke seems to prefer the experience and reliability of Sam Byram even if it means sacrificing the balance of the side due to his tendency to cut in on his right-foot.

Isaac Schmidt is another option but he has played just nine minutes of football since joining Leeds in the summer.

Farke told Schmidt to improve in training if he wants more game time and it will be interesting to see whether he has followed those demands.