Daniel Farke suffers Leeds United injury blow during 3-0 win v Cardiff City – Graham Smyth
Graham Smyth believes Leeds United defender Junior Firpo may have picked up an injury during the 3-0 victory over Cardiff City as he was replaced by Sam Byram.
The Whites outclassed the Welsh side in a superb Championship performance but will be worried by yet another problem with one of Daniel Farke’s defenders.
Firpo, who has missed several matches this season through a knee injury, was replaced by Byram after 84 minutes, having bagged an assist for Patrick Bamford’s opener.
“Firpo has a bit of an issue it looks like. Physios standing in the technical area but he’s carrying on, hasn’t gone down,” Smyth wrote via X on Saturday (13 January).
Overshadowing the victory
With Pascal Struik already out injured, and Liam Cooper unavailable against Cardiff, an injury to another one of his defenders will have been the last thing Farke wanted. A lack of defensive options moving forward could have dire impacts on the rest of Leeds’ campaign as they aim for Premier League promotion.
However, with the return of Jamie Shackleton, Byram, and hopefully Stuart Dallas soon, any long-term injury to Firpo may not have the same impact as it could have done in the last couple of months.
It would be a great shame for the former Barcelona left-back, though. His career at Elland Road has been plagued by injury, and despite not going down and carrying on, it could be another setback for Firpo.
There are no doubts over Firpo’s talents. His two goals and six assists show how much he fits Farke’s attacking style of play to a tee.
But, having only made 58 appearances since signing for Leeds in July 2021, the club may quickly become tired of constantly treating the player and paying his wages, with injuries continuing to creep back in.
In other Leeds United news, talks underway to sign “Absolutely Brilliant” Premier League defender.