Leeds United now have an extended period of time to decide whether it is worth signing a new midfielder on a free transfer.
Though the window is, of course, closed, there has been some speculation Leeds could look at the free agent market after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev.
Ampadu is set for 10 weeks on the sidelines following a knee injury he suffered in the 3-0 win over Coventry City last month, while Gruev is expected to be out for several months.
Gruev posted a message to Leeds fans from his hospital bed on Saturday after undergoing surgery on his knee, with a long road to recovery now ahead of him.
Daniel Farke now has just Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as senior midfield options until Ampadu returns, which is not likely to be until the backend of the festive period at the very least.
Ben Jacobs on Leeds plans for free agent midfielder
In both his pre and post-Sunderland press conference, Farke was asked about the possibility of dipping into the free agent market.
When the extent of Gruev’s injury had not yet been revealed, Farke seemed pretty dismissive of the idea, suggesting it was not something he believed in.
However, Farke appeared slightly more open to one coming in after news of Gruev’s absence, though still did not confirm for certain whether it would happen.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has now provided a fresh update on the situation to Give Me Sport, suggesting Leeds aren’t in a ‘panic’ to bring one in urgently and could instead wait until early January.
He said: “I’m not aware of any panic to replace Ampadu now. In early January you might see them add midfield or versatile reinforcement, partially to cover the back end of the festive and New Year period and to ensure that as he rehabilitates and comes back.
They have depth and other options so they won’t have to rush him back at some point in January and risk having another setback in the process.”
Jordan Henderson could be Leeds’ answer
If Leeds are to wait until January it is a bit of a risk relying on both Rothwell and Tanaka to stay fit, especially after how quickly they lost Ampadu and Gruev.
However, a perfect opportunity could well arise in the form of Jordan Henderson, who is reportedly set to leave Ajax on loan in January due to a lack of game time.
Leading Championship sides are said to be keeping an eye on his situation and given the current midfield predicament at Leeds, it would be a surprise if one of them wasn’t the Whites.
Henderson can play both as a number four or eight and would add an abundance of experience, making him an ideal January loan signing.
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