Leeds United’s list of absentees has grown drastically over the last fortnight and Daniel Farke will be hoping his international players remain injury free over the next 10 days or so.
The likes of Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka, Mateo Joseph, Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and others will be in action for their countries. In the last break, Max Wober picked up a lengthy knee issue.
It has forced Wober to have an operation and he is unlikely to be seen again until nearly December. It leaves Leeds light for cover at centre-back, while central midfield has become a real problem this month.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev will not be traveling to represent their countries, having picked up serious knee issues. Gruev has since posted from his hospital bed having undergone surgery on his new injury.
Ampadu will not require surgery but he, Gruev and Wober are just three of six injured players at Leeds right now along with Manor Solomon, Dan James and Diogo Monteiro. Aaronson though, is a big doubt.
Why Brenden Aaronson could miss Sheffield United clash
Leeds return after the next international break with a massive clash. Bragging rights the prize, as Leeds host promotion rivals and local enemies Sheffield United at Elland Road on October 18, a Friday night.
That plunges Aaronson’s availability into doubt. Aaronson has been picked by Mauricio Pochettino for his first United States squad against Panama on Sunday at 2am, before facing Mexico next Wednesday.
That game against Mexico takes place at 3.30am on October 16, less than 72 hours before Leeds face Wilder’s Blades. Jet lag, lethargy, sharpness and fitness will come into question for £25m Aaronson.
Leeds need Aaronson but Sheffield United clash surely too soon
There is no surprise that Sheffield United’s visit of Leeds was picked by Sky Sports. But, it is beyond belief how the Championship schedule can allow a Friday night game immediately after an international break.
Leeds’ international players this month:
- Brenden Aaronson (USA face Panama and Mexico, 13th and 16th October)
- Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow (Wales face Iceland and Montenegro, 11th and 14th)
- Junior Firpo (Dominican Republic face Antigua & Barbuda twice, 12th and 15th)
- Wilfried Gnonto (Italy U21’s face Ireland, 15th)
- Mateo Joseph (Spain U21’s face Kazakhstan and Malta, 10th and 15th)
Rodon, Firpo, Gnonto, Joseph and Tanaka will finish their international duty by Tuesday evening. Rodon, alongside Karl Darlow, will play their second game on Monday night. Tanaka, early afternoon on Tuesday.
Firpo, Gnonto and Joseph are in action on Tuesday evening. Even that is pushing it, but for Aaronson to have to play in the early hours of Wednesday and then fly from Mexico to England, he seems a big doubt.
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