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The Pascal Struijk injury could make or break Leeds United’s season

Leeds United are sweating over the injury status of Pascal Struijk who has sustained a hamstring problem. The initial assessment is that he will be out for three weeks but Leeds are weary that he could be out longer. The centre-back will undergo more scans this week to determine the extent of his injury and there is a fear that he could be out for months rather than weeks. Daniel Farke has already hinted that the club will look to sign a centre-back if Struijk is out for a longer period. Ethan Ampadu has filled in as the centre-back but the Leeds boss indicated that the club captain is not seen as a long-term option at centre-back.

Leeds sit at the summit of the Championship table and are clear favourites for automatic promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.

However, the Yorkshire giants are dealing with a real scare that could end up having a major impact on their hopes of getting promoted to the top flight.

Pascal Struijk sustained a hamstring injury last week and the initial assessment was that he would be out for not more than three weeks but that was not the final call.

Leeds will carry out more scans on the centre-back this week and there is a fear that the injury could be worse than previously anticipated and he could be out of action for months.

Farke would prefer to have Struijk back in action as soon as possible but hinted that Leeds will look to bring in a centre-back if he will be out for longer than previously thought.

The Pascal Struijk injury could be a sliding-door moment for Leeds this season

Struijk has been one of the best defenders in the Championship this season and formed a formidable centre-back pairing with Joe Rodon at the heart of the Leeds defence.

An automatic choice when fit, the defender was providing much-needed consistency at the back for Leeds this season but that could now change.

Ampadu was brilliant against Sheffield Wednesday but Farke would prefer his leadership and calmness in midfield rather than the defence.

The Welshman will continue at the heart of the Leeds defence until Struijk is fit or the club bring in a new centre-back in the winter transfer window.

If the Dutchman’s injury is more serious than previously anticipated it would be a major disruption this season for Leeds who are worried about the situation.

Changing centre-backs in the middle of the season would be a huge issue for Farke who preaches consistency in selection as part of his footballing philosophy.

The Leeds boss hopes Struijk is only out for three weeks as that would mean minimal disruption and Ampadu could continue until the Dutchman returns soon.

However, bringing in a new centre-back and gelling him into the team, especially at the heart of their defence, would be a major headache for the Leeds manager.

Can Leeds sign an adequate replacement if their worst fears are realised?

If Struijk is out for months, Leeds are almost certain to sign a new centre-back to fill in for the Dutchman for the latter half of the season. However, finding a direct replacement would be a tough gig.

The Dutchman has been a rock at the heart of the Leeds defence and replacing him would be far more complicated in the winter transfer window.

Getting a defender of comparable quality would be almost impossible but Leeds are said to be lining up centre-backs who could be signed in the coming days.

However, the issue would be to bed in the new signing. Farke has always been a reluctant buyer in January as sides do not have time to allow a new player to adapt in the middle of the season.

It would be a bigger problem at the centre-back position as Leeds can’t afford a new defender making a slow start to life at Elland Road if he joins.

Farke hopes he won’t have to sign a new defender as it would be a massive headache if the new signing takes time to get used to life at Leeds.

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