Daniel Farke could be set to hand player his first-ever Leeds United start on Saturday

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Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Oxford United, Leeds United are now suffering a new problem in the middle of their defence with three options potentially unable to start.

For all 21 Championship games this season, Daniel Farke has fielded the same two centre-backs. Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon have played a key role in helping Leeds clock up 11 clean sheets in those 21 games.

The duo have combined superbly after Rodon signed permanently in the summer, even with Struijk now wearing the captain’s armband with Ethan Ampadu sidelined after a picking up an injury in September.

But ahead of facing newly-promoted Oxford on Saturday, Leeds could now be without Struijk. Daniel Farke says Struijk is 50-50 for Saturday and is a “major doubt”, suffering from tightness in his hamstrings.

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Pascal Struijk not the only centre-back concern ahead of Oxford

Farke also said Max Wober is also more likely to be unavailable after suffering a set-back in training this week. The left-footed defender has picked up some swelling in his knee and is likely to miss Saturday.

With Struijk only 50-50 and Wober likely to miss the visit of managerless Oxford on Saturday, Leeds are down to the bare knuckles. Ampadu is back, but the Leeds skipper is yet to start after so long out.

So, who could start alongside Joe Rodon against Oxford?

With Struijk, Wober and Ampadu unlikely to start for Leeds on Saturday, who could Farke turn to to go alongside Rodon in the middle of his defence? The chances of him changing formation remains unlikely.

Farke never changes formation. Ilia Gruev can play in defence but of course, he remains sidelined until the summer. As far as LeedsUnited.News can see the situation, Farke has three alternative options in defence.

He could play Sam Byram out of position, or hand James Debayo only his second senior appearance. But the most-likely scenario is, if Leeds are missing Struijk, Wober and Ampadu, that Josuha Guilavogui starts.

The France international is equally as adept in the middle of the defence as he is in midfield and having come on six times as a sub since signing on as a free agent, Guilavogui could be in line to make his first start.