Leeds United to cross fingers over Ao Tanaka after Elland Road injury news
Dan Bardell believes Leeds United will have their fingers crossed while Ao Tanaka is on international duty after Ethan Ampadu suffered a lengthy injury setback.
The Whites skipper came off against Coventry City and is now expected to be out of action for up to 10 weeks [Yorkshire Evening Post].
This situation has only been made worse by Ilia Gruev suffering an injury against Norwich City which requires surgery [Leedsunited.com] which would see him out for many months.
With Tanaka set to join up with Japan for the international break, Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell thinks Daniel Farke will be hoping he returns without any problems.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Bardell said: “They’re not having a good time of things with injuries and having lost a lot of players in the summer it is really the last thing they need.
“Ampadu in particular is a huge loss, I think he’s one of the best players in the Championship, not just in terms of his ability but he’s a leader in there.
“Leeds will be keeping everything crossed during the international break that they don’t suffer any more injuries to someone like Tanaka because they simply can’t handle any more.“
Leeds United hope for Ao Tanaka fitness after the international break
It is bizarre to see the Whites’ two main midfielder options pull up with injuries in back-to-back games but it has happened at Elland Road.
This is extremely frustrating for the manager and supporters after an up-and-down start to the campaign in the Championship.
There is now a lack of options in the squad with the first-team duo missing leaving Joe Rothwell and Tanaka to fill the void.
The summer signing from Dusseldorf is joining his country on international duty with Leeds unable to prevent him from doing so due to FIFA’s regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players [Yorkshire Evening Post].
It is going to be a long break for Farke as he waits for the 26-year-old to return, hopefully without any fresh injury concerns.
In other Leeds United news, Jamie O’Hara in hysterics at what talkSPORT broadcaster did during Sunderland preview.
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