Leeds United will be walking a dangerous tight rope after the international break.
It has been a very difficult season for Daniel Farke, but the Leeds coach has still managed to push his team to success. The club are in third place in the Championship, and are firmly in the promotion race just 15 league games into the season.
What is impressive is how Farke has managed to perform this well despite injuries and key absences. After losing the championship playoff final last year, there was an exodus of players in the summer. Key players Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter joined Premier League clubs.
Leeds United have also suffered with injuries this season. Farke lost his first choice midfield pairing in early October. Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev were ruled out for months with serious knee injuries within weeks of each other. Star summer signing, Largie Ramazani also picked up an ankle injury before the international break.
QUIZ: Can you name the missing player from these 10 famous Leeds United photos?
One thing could halt Leeds United this season
Credit: Imago Images
With the long term injuries, there is still hope. Ethan Ampadu says he is in recovery, and has only recently started training on grass. Illia Gruev is out of crutches and is expected to start work on grass before the end of the year. Ramazani is also ahead of schedule as he posted on instagram that he is back to training in boots.
The Leeds United squad is very thin, from now till January with a packed schedule ahead. Suspensions could derail Leeds’ promotion challenge. Junior Firpo received a three-game ban for violent conduct against Millwall.
Now, Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Rodon are the latest players on the verge of suspension as both players are on four yellow cards each. If the duo avoid picking up a booking till after the Derby County game on December 7th, they will no longer be at risk of a ban.
Jayden Bogle, like Junior Firpo, has already picked up five yellow cards and could face another suspension if he keeps accumulating them.
What suspensions could mean for the squad
The team is particularly light in midfield and defence. If anyone in those two areas of the pitch is suspended, the replacements available are very limited. Max Wöber is the only fit back up center back available, and Josuha Gulavogui is the only available midfielder behind Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell. So between now and January, the team need to be very careful on the pitch.
