Ao Tanaka to face Leeds United injury checks after Japan exertions
Leeds United will assess Ao Tanaka’s fitness once he returns to the club from international duty, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The news outlet reported on its website on Tuesday (15 October) that having played a full 90 minutes in Japan’s 1-1 draw with Australia, Tanaka is likely to return in enough time to make Leeds’ match against Sheffield United on 18 October.
Tanaka is expected to be back at Thorp Arch and to complete Daniel Farke’s final training session before the Whites resume their Championship campaign, but only after he’s assessed by the club’s doctors.
All returning international players will undergo the same treatment at Thorp Arch, but the YEP’s report adds that having come through Japan’s latest match unscathed, Tanaka will likely be passed fit to play.
Leeds United avoid nightmare Ao Tanaka midfield scenario
Had Tanaka picked up any sort of knock in Japan’s match against Australia, Farke and every United fan across the globe would have been fearing the worst possible news for the midfielder.
The Whites have already seen Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev ruled out with long-term injuries picked up in consecutive matches, and had Tanaka joined them on the sidelines, options would have been scarce.
Minus Tanaka in midfield, Farke may have been forced to throw Charlie Crew into his starting XI against Sheffield United for the Welshman’s senior debut, leaving Joe Rothwell as his only senior midfielder.
Free agent Cheikhou Kouyate has been present at Thorp Arch in recent days and reportedly underwent a medical on 11 October [Adam Pope, 12 October], but the Senegalese international is yet to sign a contract with the club [TEAMtalk, 14 October].
That high lack of numbers in such a vital position has left Farke more reliant than ever on the likes of Tanaka, and he’ll be more thankful than anyone that the 26-year-old has made it through the break.
In other Leeds news, Farke needs more from one of his midfield options after what he did on international duty in recent days.
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