Junior Firpo’s injury in Leeds United’s 2-0 win over Derby County on Saturday came as a major blow. The left-back was taken off after just 19 minutes after he picked up a hamstring injury. Firpo will now be on the sidelines during the busiest period of the season and that is bad news for the Whites.
Max Wober came on and made an impact by scoring a goal but he is not a natural left-back and Firpo’s absence will eventually affect the team going forward
Firpo was a constant in the team whenever he was available this season and despite his struggles in the Premier League, he has been a consistent performer at the Championship level. Leeds United have depended on him to offer an attacking outlet on the left.
Daniel Farke will have to find a different solution and find a way to minimise the impact of not having Firpo in the squad but at some point, his absence will be felt.
Max Wober or Sam Bryam? Who will replace Firpo at left-back
Farke was forced to bring on Wober on Saturday as even Sam Byram, the other player he prefers at left-back, was also not in the squad due to an injury.
However, the full-back has returned to training and is expected to be available to be in the team when Leeds host Middlesbrough at Elland Road today.
Byram is the more trusted option for the Leeds boss but Wober’s performance against Derby has given Farke some food for thought when it comes to the selection.
The problem is even Byram is injury prone and Leeds could be forced into using Wober more, which could block his move away from Elland Road in the winter transfer window.
The Leeds boss revealed that Firpo will miss the entirety of the festive fixture schedule and it is definitely bad news for both the club and the player.
“Sadly, bad news with Junior Firpo”, Farke said during Monday’s press conference.
“It’s a serious muscle injury and his hamstring. The doctors expect him to be out for four to six weeks.
“It means he will definitely be out over the Festive period so in the next upcoming, whatever, seven league games, he won’t be in contention so for that, definitely bad news with him.”
What about the Leeds United captain returning soon?
Ethan Ampadu’s knee injury earlier in the season came as a blow for Leeds. However, Pascal Struijk has seamlessly replaced the Welshman and probably has been the team’s best defender.
However, the Leeds United captain is recuperating and is expected to return to action soon following recovering from his injury. Daniel Farke will look to ease him back into the team and is unlikely to throw him directly into the starting eleven as soon as he comes back.
The Welshman is a versatile defender who can play across the backline and it is easy to forget that he joined Leeds last year as a defensive midfielder.
Wober has impressed at left-back and Byram is one of the consistent players who can also feature as the left-back in the team. However, even Ampadu could also be used in that role.
The Leeds captain is expected to get substitute appearances initially after he returns and could easily slot into left-back when needed in the upcoming weeks.
Firpo’s injury seemed like a massive blow for Leeds but Farke is likely to have several options and will look to rotate his squad in the coming weeks.
Wober and Byram are excellent options at left-back but Ampadu can also offer experience, calmness and composure to the team in the upcoming weeks when Leeds are expected to come under pressure in a few tricky games.
