‘Tragically’ Farke says of a Leeds player who will be out for several weeks after suffering two new injuries against Middlesbrough.

Daniel Farke has revealed that Joe Gelhardt and Junior Firpo are “sadly” unavailable for Leeds United’s visit to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Whites manager revealed in his pre-match press conference on December 1 that the young forward has a hip problem that does not appear to be serious but will keep him out this weekend.

Firpo, on the other hand, has a hamstring injury from his week’s substitute appearance against Swansea, having only made his first start of the season after a long-term injury at Rotherham a few days earlier, and will be out for up to three weeks.

Strain

Three games in the space of a week immediately after the international break is always going to put pressure on a squad, especially when the Whites have a number of players carrying knocks or recently back from injury absences.

The strength of the starting XI compared to the rest of the replacement options remains a valid concern going forward, and changes to the lineup have coincided with the last two Championship games Leeds United have dropped points in—at Stoke City and Rotherham United.

Whether Farke sees fit to go into the transfer market in January after disruption to his defence is likely going to be the main focus as the New Year approaches, but for now he must utilise the options at his disposal.

 

Leeds United

The 3-1 victory over Swansea in midweek was a welcome return to winning ways after the frustration of the draw at the New York Stadium last Friday, and another win against Boro at Elland Road will bring back the momentum fully.

Despite the dropped points after the internationals, the Whites haven’t lost ground on Leicester or Ipswich above them, and Farke still has his side mounting a concerted challenge to the top two.

But with the likes of West Brom and Southampton also in strong form immediately behind, there isn’t a great deal of margin for error as it begins to look crowded at the top of the table.

In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope admits he was in denial about a problem that is now a “massive, massive worry” for the Whites.