Georginio Rutter and Pascal Struijk update emerges ahead of Leeds United vs Rotherham United clash – Phil Hay
Both Georginio Rutter and Pascal Struijk have travelled with the Leeds United squad to face Rotherham United, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist reported from the New York Stadium on 24 November ahead of kick-off to say that the star forward and the key defender were at the ground with their Whites teammates.
Struijk had been a doubt over the international break due to hernia surgery which kept him out of the Plymouth Argyle victory but appears to have made a miraculous recovery, while Rutter had emerged from France under-21 action to be named a “major doubt” ahead of this game by manager Daniel Farke.
However, Hay has confirmed that both are present and correct at Rotherham so may well be involved to boost the strength of the Leeds United side on their return to domestic action.
Bonus
Struijk’s return makes a huge difference at the back thanks to his burgeoning partnership with Joe Rodon, and despite it being minor surgery that kept him out it would still be a surprise that he is back so soon, assuming he starts.
Rutter’s availability, as long as it is confirmed when the team sheet comes out, would be even more of a boost given he has arguably been the best player in the squad, and potentially the league, so far this season.
The news at the pre-match press conference of him potentially missing this match came somewhat out of the blue and represented a major blow, even if Rotherham are currently inside the bottom three.
With a host of other potential doubts including Sam Byram and Djed Spence thought to be available or at least close to full fitness Farke’s squad is virtually at full strength at the perfect time.
If the two regular starters are back for this one it is possible the manager even decides not to risk them against a side struggling this term.
But the continuity that his Leeds United XI has built up heading into the break would certainly be boosted if both, and Byram, were back out there from the start.
In other Leeds United news, a struggling Whites player has been backed to “cope” in the Championship after a Premier League nightmare.