Leeds United’s injury woes continue to worsen in the 1-1 draw against Norwich City on Tuesday night at Carrow Road. Ilia Gruev is the latest name to fall on the Whites’ injury list after leaving the contest in the 20th minute.
After the draw, manager Daniel Farke confirmed that the midfielder suffered a knee injury that led to his exit from the match. Gruev joins Ethan Ampadu, Manor Solomon, Dan James, Isaach Schmidt, and Max Wober, who are all out with injuries.
Moreover, Gruev’s injury is another blow to the midfield, as Ampadu, who can play both midfield and defense, likely won’t return this year. The Leeds squad seems to get thinner and thinner after every match, and the games keep coming for Farke and his team.
The Whites will face promotional rival Sunderland on Friday night at the Stadium of Light to cap off three games in one week. Both sides will be looking to take all three points to hurt an opposition vying for the top two automatic promotion spots.
Daniel Farke gives Ilia Gruev, Isaach Schmidt, and Manor Solomon injury update
Ahead of Leeds’ match against the Black Cats, Farke spoke to the media on Wednesday and provided an injury update on Gruev, Schmidt, and Solomon.
“We are still waiting for further assessment, [Gruev] will have a scan later today and I can tell you more maybe this evening,” Farke said (h/t Yorkshire Evening Post). “As it stands, it looks a bit better today, doesn’t feel that bad but we have to wait for the scan…
“Like always, after a competitive game a few hits and knocks but no one ruled out for the game. We have a few injured players from the last few weeks. I don’t expect one to come back. Isaach Schmidt looks a bit better so we will try tomorrow, our last training session before the game. If he comes through, he could be involved but I expect him to be the only one who could return back…
“We were hoping [Solomon] could be involved today but it was not possible. I expect the game comes a bit too soon for him. We have to go with what we’ve got.”
Following this contest, Leeds will catch a break with the FIFA international break. However, some players will be heading out to their respective national teams, and the risk of injury will worsen the situation.
