Leeds United picked up their seventh Championship win of the season on Saturday afternoon and clocked up an eighth clean sheet in what was only their 13th league outing.
They did it thanks to goals from Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson, all coming against Wayne Rooneys Plymouth in a 10-minute blitz towards the end of the second half as Leeds climbed to second.
But Daniel Farke’s men also did it without the midfield duo of Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu again. The two midfielders, first-choice before injures, are expected to be out injured until at least December.
Gruev said he is now walking again without his crutches, having got to that stage of his rehab over the weekend. But, the Bulgaria star is still unlikely to be seen again until the latter stages of December.
Stuart Dallas shares first impressions of Ilia Gruev at Leeds
Bought for a bargain £4m fee from German side Werder Bremen, Gruev had to wait for the first half of last season before getting a run of games in Farke’s side and ended the campaign proving utterly pivotal.
He started this season as first choice, too. But injury has seen Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka take over, with Gruev a big fan of Tanaka. Dallas told LUTV’s matchday programme his first impression of Gruev at Leeds.
“Very disciplined, I noticed that as soon as he came to the club. Maybe you [Gruev] found it a bit difficult, as anybody would, moving over with you family and away from friends. Maybe, physicality of the league.”
Ilia Gruev might find himself fourth choice when he is fit again
Farke has a headache incoming, when all four are fit. Stuart Dallas said himself last month that Farke will have a dilemma when picking his midfield, given the form of on-loan Rothwell in the middle of the park.
There is no doubting that skipper Ethan Ampadu starts when all four are available. But who goes along with the Wales star? Rothwell and Tanaka are different players, with Rothwell’s vision a key element.
His set-piece ability, too. Japan star Tanaka has arguably been Leeds’ best player during October, but the chances are that when picking a partner for Ampadu, Gruev will be behind Rothwell and Tanaka.
That is for then, but for now it will be Tanaka and Rothwell in central midfield on Wednesday night when Leeds travel to Millwall. Josuha Guilavogui made his debut on Saturday, and he will act as first reserve.
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