Ao Tanaka update emerges as Leeds United sweat on midfield after Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev injuries
Ao Tanaka didn’t feature for Japan against Saudi Arabia in what might be the “best news of all” for Leeds United, says Joe Donnohue.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist shared a Whites international update via X on 11 October after Mateo Joseph scored a hat-trick for Spain’s Under-21s, suggesting the lack of action for his Elland Road teammate would be the greater positive for some as he avoided the risk of adding to an injury crisis.
Daniel Farke is already without regular starters Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, with the Welshman ruled out for 10 weeks [The Athletic, 30 September] and the Bulgarian requiring surgery after respective knee injuries.
Japan left Tanaka on the bench for their 2-0 win on 10 October, but face Australia on Tuesday 15 October before he returns to West Yorkshire, where Donnohue adds for the YEP’s website he has a “vital role” to play thanks to the injury picture.
He wrote via X: “Mateo Joseph’s hat-trick the headline from last night’s international action, as far as LUFC are concerned. Ao Tanaka, meanwhile, was an unused substitute in Japan’s 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, which to some might be the best news of all.”
Daniel Farke dodges new Leeds United injury headache
If Japan see fit to get through their second World Cup qualifier without needing to turn to Tanaka it will be a relief to some around Elland Road, who might ask questions why he was called up at all.
But since both Ampadu and Gruev were hurt playing for the Whites it won’t mean the club is out of the woods by any stretch.
The 26-year-old was signed from Fortuna Dusseldorf at the end of the summer transfer window and is now one of just two recognised central midfielders available to hold the fort for the foreseeable future, alongside Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell.
Neither are particularly defensive and can leave gaps in behind defensively, although they settled to put in a solid performance in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on 4 October, so there is interest in free agent Cheikhou Kouyaté among a small group of potential emergency signings [YEP, 10 October].
Glen Kamara was sold to Rennes in the summer while Archie Gray left for Tottenham, and while both were replaced by more forward-thinking options Farke wouldn’t have envisaged being left without either of the more defensive regulars this early in the season.
Unless the German decides to turn to a youngster such as Charlie Crew it is going to be a big ask for Tanaka and Rothwell to cover the centre of the midfield entirely for two months or more.
But an academy player stepping up isn’t out of the question since Farke was prepared to throw Gray in as a 17-year-old last term, although the teenager is something of a unique talent.
In other Leeds United news, Patrick Bamford has issued an Elland Road exit admission.
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