Junior Firpo ruled out for weeks, Joe Gelhardt also unavailable reveals Daniel Farke – Early Leeds United injury news vs Middlesbrough
Joe Gelhardt and Junior Firpo are “sadly” not available for Leeds United as Middlesbrough visit Elland Road on Saturday, Daniel Farke has revealed.
The Whites boss shared an update in his pre-match press conference on 1 December that the young forward has a hip issue that doesn’t appear to be serious but will keep him out this weekend.
Firpo however has a hamstring problem following his substitute appearance against Swansea during the week, having only made his first start of the season after long-term injury at Rotherham a few days earlier, and will be out for up to three weeks.
Strain
Three games in the space of a week immediately after the international break is always going to put pressure on a squad, especially when the Whites have a number of players carrying knocks or recently back from injury absences.
The strength of the starting XI compared to the rest of the replacement options remains a valid concern going forward, and changes to the lineup have coincided with the last two Championship games Leeds United have dropped points in – at Stoke City and Rotherham United.
Whether Farke sees fit to go into the transfer market in January after disruption to his defence is likely going to be the main focus as the New Year approaches, but for now he must utilise the options at his disposal.
The 3-1 victory over Swansea in midweek was a welcome return to winning ways after the frustration of the draw at the New York Stadium last Friday, and another win against Boro at Elland Road will bring back the momentum fully.
Despite the dropped points after the internationals the Whites haven’t lost ground on Leicester or Ipswich above them and Farke still has his side mounting a concerted challenge to the top two.
But with the likes of West Brom and Southampton also in strong form immediately behind there isn’t a great deal of margin for error as it begins to look crowded at the top of the table.
In other Leeds United news, Adam Pope admits he was in denial about a problem which is now a “massive, massive worry” for the Whites.