Leeds early team news v Harrogate: Joel Piroe injury blow amid Bamford update
Leeds United will be without Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe against Harrogate Town on Saturday with the latter "struggling", Daniel Farke has said.
BBC Radio Leeds journalist Adam Pope posted on X (9 January) from Farke's pre-match conference ahead of their FA Cup third-round tie, in which the German gave an injury update on five players.
Confirming Bamford's hamstring injury would rule him out until February, Farke added that both Piroe and Max Wober would miss Saturday's clash, with Ilia Gruev and Junior Firpo still in recovery.
Pope said: "Bamford (hamstring) out for 4 weeks – possibly training by end of month.
"Piroe struggling and will miss the Harrogate game. Firpo and Gruev making progress. Wober (knee) still an issue."
Injuries ramping up at crucial period for Leeds United
An FA Cup run won't be at the forefront of many fans' minds inside Elland Road this season, given the be-all and end-all goal of the campaign is to seal a return to the Premier League at the second attempt.
However, losing at home to a side from the fourth tier, let alone one almost on their doorstep, certainly wouldn't be ideal preparation for the second half of a season which has United's future riding on it.
As a result, the under-strength side Farke is likely to field against Harrogate will be a key indication of the strength in-depth the Peacocks possess, meaning this fixture couldn't come at a better time.
With the second week of the January transfer window already underway, there's yet to be a single incoming or outgoing in LS11, despite calls from many for reinforcements at both ends of the pitch.
Bamford being ruled out for the rest of the window, and top scorer Piroe struggling for fitness himself, means that despite Farke's comments on a lack of activity, United cannot afford to sit on their hands.
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