Jamie Shackleton now ‘major doubt’ for Leeds United v Plymouth in new blow
Jamie Shackleton is a “major doubt” for Leeds United for their upcoming FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle.
The two Championship clubs are set to go head to head in a fourth round replay at Home Park on Tuesday (6 February), with Farke explaining that Pascal Struijk and Dan James are unavailable due to injury.
The original tie ended 1-1 at Elland Road at the end of January, with Adam Randell levelling for the visitors after Jaidon Anthony put the hosts ahead.
“Pascal and Dan James will miss this game,” Farke said in his pre-match press conference, as per the official Leeds YouTube channel.
“Sadly there is a major doubt with Jamie Shackleton, he’s unwell with illness. We still have 24 hours but it’s not possible to train today at least, so definitely a major doubt for him to travel with us and if he’s available for the game. All the other players came through the last game without any injuries or knocks, so all the others are available.”
New blow for Leeds United
Shackleton has by no means been a regular under Farke this season, with the 24-year-old making just 13 appearances in all competitions.
The versatile player did, however, start and play 82 minutes against Plymouth at Elland Road, with Farke clearly still a fan of the Whites man.
But it now looks unlikely that Shackleton will feature in the replay, in a match that neither club would have wanted during this important stage of the season.
Argyle will want to focus their energy on climbing up the Championship standings, with the club currently occupying 15th place.
Leeds meanwhile are in third and chasing the top two thanks to a superb run of form, but that league momentum will now be halted thanks to the FA Cup replay.
It may, however, allow Farke to give some minutes to players who have not featured much recently, with those players potentially given a chance to prove their worth to the boss in the hope of more minutes in the upcoming Championship matches.
In other Leeds United news, OIi McBurnie reacted as the Whites agreed terms for a last-ditch signing, with Pavel Nedved named.
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