Leeds United suffered a major injury blow at the start of the season when Joe Rodon suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Brentford at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke revealed that the Welsh defender would be out for more than two months, and the club may dip into the January transfer market for solutions if there are any more setbacks.
Rodon’s injury means Nico Elvedi has come into the starting eleven, and the 29-year-old’s experience has come in handy for Farke in the absence of a senior centre-back.
However, Leeds have suffered another injury blow, with the latest setback potentially influencing Farke’s team selection for Wednesday night’s EFL Cup clash with Chelsea.
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Daniel Farke reveals fresh injury concern
Dan James was not even on the bench in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium, and it has emerged that he is dealing with an injury.
The Leeds boss later revealed that the Welshman complained about a back problem during the warm-up at the Amex, and he was pulled out of the squad.
Farke is understandably concerned, although he stressed that it may not be a new injury and remains hopeful that James will be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
“Daniel James reported a few back problems during the warm-up”, Farke said.
“That is my only concern, so I just hope it has to do with the travel or whatever, and it’s not an injury. I hope to have him available for Wednesday.
“At the moment, that’s my only [injury] concern.”
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This could impact the Chelsea game
Dan James was expected to start against Chelsea if he was fully fit. However, even if he recovers from the minor back issue, it is uncertain whether Farke will risk him in the starting eleven.
Harry Wilson is expected to be in the team on Wednesday night, but if James is not fit, Farke will have to make a major call on a big selection.
He can either start Brenden Aaronson or Noah Okafor in one of the wide positions or hand Jean-Mateo Bahoya a debut in the starting eleven against Chelsea.
The EFL Cup game could be the ideal platform for the 21-year-old winger to get his first taste of English football and he will have very little to lose against a top team such as Chelsea.
Farke has a big decision to make if James does not completely recover from the back issue in the next 24 hours.
