Double new Leeds injury scare spotted after scenes vs Derby in FA Cup
Daniel Farke could have some issues to deal with after Leeds United’s clash with Derby County in the FA Cup Third Round.
The Whites came into the game off the back of a crushing 4-3 defeat against Newcastle United, in which Harvey Barnes scored a 102nd-minute winner for Eddie Howe’s side.
Leeds are still in a great position to avoid Premier League relegation, eight points clear of the bottom three after 21 games of the season.
However, their survival hopes may have taken a hit after what happened in the first half of their FA Cup tie away at Pride Park.
Leeds duo hit by injury scare
Leeds were hoping for a relatively easy afternoon against Derby, but the reality was far from that.
Joel Piroe missed a golden chance to give Farke’s side a first-half lead, seeing his penalty saved by goalkeeper Jacob Widell Wetterstrom after Lukas Nmecha was fouled in the box.
Derby made Piroe pay just two minutes later, Ben Brereton Diaz firing past Karl Darlow to put the Championship side ahead.
Thankfully, Willy Gnonto and Ao Tanaka scored two quickfire goals to turn the tie around in the second half.
As the Leeds players walked off for the half-time break, both Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gnonto were spotted limping.
According to Graham Smyth, the pair looked far from comfortable as they went down the tunnel.
Farke clearly wasn’t willing to take any risks regarding fitness, taking off Bornauw at the break and replacing him with James Justin.
However, one positive for the Whites was that Gnonto was able to continue, and the Italian winger brushed off any injury concerns by smashing home the equaliser for Leeds 10 minutes after half-time.
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Leeds starting to suffer under Daniel Farke
The Leeds squad have put in a real effort over the past six weeks, pulling themselves out and clear of the relegation zone with several big results.
Their efforts may just be catching up with them, though, as Farke’s side is starting to pick up some injuries.
Joe Rodon missed two games at the start of January after hobbling off during the 1-1 draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Rodon was back for the defeat against Newcastle, but there are now concerns around Bornauw’s fitness.
Farke will hope that the rest of his Leeds squad can stay injury-free, so their survival push is not affected.