Daniel Farke sweating on five Leeds United players v Sheffield United
Leeds United could be without five first-team players when they face Sheffield United, with four still to fulfil international fixtures, according to LeedsLive.
The online news outlet reported on 15 October that despite Ao Tanaka coming through Japan’s match against Australia unscathed, it remains to be seen if the midfielder will be back in time to feature on 18 October.
Meanwhile, Wilfried Gnonto, Charlie Crew, Junior Firpo and Brenden Aaronson are all yet to play for their countries on Wednesday (18 October) night, with the latter duo set for long trips back to the UK.
Farke has been given one boost due to Spain’s Under-21s resting striker Mateo Joseph [Joe Donnohue, 15 October], but the United boss still faces the possibility of having at least four first-choice players unavailable.
Daniel Farke could be forced to ring the changes at Leeds United
Farke certainly won’t be thanking the EFL and Sky Sports’ scheduling of United’s first fixture after the international break, with the aforementioned quintet unlikely to train more than once before 18 October.
That minimal preparation could prove to be too much of a stretch for players on duty further afield than Europe, with Firpo and Aaronson in particular facing lengthy trips back from the Americas.
Aaronson will have the biggest question mark over his availability due to the USA’s match against Mexico taking place in Guadalajara – a 12-hour flight away – and not ending until the early hours of 16 October.
The window for Aaronson to return to the UK, train at Thorp Arch and be passed fit (and not jet-lagged) to face the Blades looks impossibly narrow, and it’s unclear whether Farke will risk the midfielder.
Injuries to any of Aaronson, Firpo, Gnonto or Crew would leave Leeds hamstrung in the fast-approaching Yorkshire derby, and Farke will have every digit crossed that each player returns home in one piece.
In other Leeds news, Farke is being given the final say over whether the Whites complete a brand new free-agent transfer.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.