Farke shares instant Joe Rodon injury update after Leeds loss v Blackburn
Joe Rodon was suffering with a back issue before Leeds United faced Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Daniel Farke has said.
BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope posted on X (30 November) after the Whites’ 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park, with Farke saying that saying Rodon had been struggling with the issue prior to kick-off.
A back issue for the 27-year-old didn’t prevent him from starting alongside Pascal Struijk, but James Debayo and Maximilian Wober were seen warming up alongside the starting XI ahead of the match.
Rodon and Struijk were unable to help United keep a clean sheet in a lacklustre performance, with the Welsh international seeing out a full 90 minutes with Wober and Debayo not required from the bench.
Joe Rodon injury news a worry for Daniel Farke at Leeds United
Rodon is no stranger to playing through injury, having done exactly that during the international break following a case of friendly fire with Wales team-mate Mark Harris against Turkey.
However, it’s something that Farke and the Elland Road faithful would – in an ideal world – like to stop happening, with Rodon one of the first names on the team sheet amid the busiest period of the season.
The centre-back struggling with injury pre-game and then playing through it could prove to be a double-edged sword for Farke, with Rodon’s back issue likely to be further aggravated after a 90-minute display.
Debayo, who made his debut for the Whites in the 4-3 win at Swansea City six days ago, remains an option to slot in on the right-hand side, while Wober will be keen to make a rare Championship start.
Rodon still stands above all the rest as United’s best option in the right-centre-back spot, and it’s clear that Farke is going to have to manage his fitness meticulously ahead of a brutal Christmas schedule.
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