Early Leeds United injury news emerges ahead of Cardiff City clash
Some early Leeds United injury news has emerged ahead of the Whites’ clash with Cardiff City, with a trio ruled out and five players who are doubts, according to Leeds Live.
Daniel Farke will be without Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison and Stuart Dallas for his first competitive bow since taking over at Elland Road, but it is unknown whether five other first team players will be fit in time for the visit of the Bluebirds.
Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood and Junior Firpo have all picked up injuries in pre-season and so far, it remains doubtful that they’ll be able to feature for the season opener.
Discussing the injury to his strikers, Farke said: “(Bamford) it seems to be like a hamstring injury. We have to wait for the assessment. He’s experienced enough and felt that something happened after the sprint and now we have to wait for the assessment.
“(Rutter) A muscle injury in his core. I hope it’s not too bad, we have to wait for the assessment. Too early to say something but it’s a core muscle.”
The forward options at Elland Road are becoming limited with Rutter suffering a muscle injury in his core with a return date yet to be specified, while Firpo is out of action until at least September and no timescales have yet been placed on the other players recovery.
Who leads the line?
If the Whites are without either Bamford and/or Rutter against Cardiff, it will create an interesting question of who will lead Farke’s frontline in their absence, with Joe Gelhardt the obvious candidate.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with Sunderland, scoring and assisting three goals in 18 appearances and would likely be the man to fill the void if both strikers are injured.
However, the recent injury report goes to show the work still required to be done in the transfer window at Elland Road, with injuries to such crucial players exposing the weaknesses of certain areas of the squad.
Bamford’s reoccurring injuries make signing a striker a crucial piece of business, while without Firpo and Dallas options look a bit limited in the fullback positions, as the games pick up it may give Farke more food for thought about where he needs to invest between now and the end of the month.
Whatever side does start the season opener against Cardiff, hopefully it will be able to give the Whites the perfect start to what is going to be a long season.
In other Leeds United news, one player’s U-turn to exit Elland Road this summer has reportedly hurt his teammates