Leeds United injury round-up: Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk latest as Daniel Farke hit by double new blow
Leeds United may have a growing list of injury issues after their FA Cup win over Birmingham City.
In a gripping FA Cup fourth round tie at St. Andrew’s on Sunday, Leeds edged past Birmingham on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in extra time.
Leeds were on the back foot for much of the encounter against the Championship side but Daniel Farke‘s men held their nerve to win 4-2 in the shootout.
They came through that contest without centre-back Pascal Struijk and midfielder Anton Stach due to injury, and may have lost two more over the weekend, but will they be fit to face Aston Villa on Saturday?
To address that matter, MOT Leeds News has rounded up all of the Elland Road side’s injury issues ahead of a tough set of fixtures as they aim to stay in the Premier League.
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When will Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk return for Leeds?
Leeds have had several injury issues this season, particularly in defence, following their promotion from the Championship.
Centre-backs Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon have both missed games through injury, as has right-back Jayden Bogle – though all are fit now.
Struijk came off late on in Leeds’ 4-0 home defeat to Arsenal on 31 January, with it later being confirmed that he had suffered a hip injury.
He has missed Leeds’ last three games as a result, while teammate Stach has been sidelined for two matches in a row with a similar issue.
On 13 February, before the Birmingham game, Farke said on the duo: “We won’t risk any player where we have any doubt. So, I don’t think that Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk will be involved for this game because they are still on the road of rehab.”
And according to Ben Dinnery for Premier League Injuries, both could potentially return at Villa Park.
The injury expert puts Stach’s return status at 50 per cent, while Struijk is down at 25 per cent. As Leeds are underdogs against third-placed Villa, both may be eased back in as bigger games lie further down the road.
Leeds handed Noah Okafor and Dan James concern
Dan James spent more than two months on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue he sustained in a 3-2 loss at Manchester City on 29 November.
However, he returned to action in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on 6 February, before making another short cameo, this time at Chelsea, four days later.
But he was a notable absentee from the Birmingham game, something that concerned Leeds fans greatly. Moreover, fellow winger Noah Okafor limped off with what looked like a hamstring problem in the second half against the Blues.
After the match, Farke said Wales international James had a back issue, with Leeds – who face Man City at Elland Road on 28 February – not taking a risk with the 28-year-old.
And Swiss international Okafor had a muscle problem, something Farke hopes is not too serious an issue ahead of the Villa game. If both James and Okafor are out, Farke’s attacking options will be in short supply.
Wilfried Gnonto looked off the pace at Birmingham, meaning Farke may opt for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in attack. Or perhaps Brenden Aaronson will act as a number 10 behind Calvert-Lewin. Either way, Farke’s options are limited.
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