Leeds United receive boost ahead of Millwall clash as Gary Rowett reveals Shaun Hutchinson injury blow
Leeds United have been handed a potential boost ahead of their crucial Championship clash against Millwall on September 17 after Gary Rowett shared an update on the fitness of captain Shaun Hutchinson.
Speaking to London News Online (6 September), Rowett revealed that Hutchinson will miss the clash at The Den on Sunday 17 September after picking up a calf problem in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham City.
Rowett also revealed via Southwark News on 3 September that defender Joe Bryan will be touch and go ahead of the clash against Daniel Farke’s men after the international break, but Hutchinson is now confirmed to be ruled out for the next “two or three games”.
The Millwall boss said: “It looks like he is probably going to miss two to three games.
“And then we’ll see where we are at from there.
“He might be back a little bit quicker or longer – it is difficult to pinpoint exactly. He is not going to be fit for the Leeds United game, put it that way.
“We’re hoping it is not too serious and it’s only going to keep him out for a few games.”
Got to pick up points
While Rowett will be anxious over the potential injuries to two of his key stars, Leeds United have been handed a small boost ahead of their crucial clash in South London on Sunday 17 September, because that is a must-win game.
After Saturday’s disappointing and dour 0-0 draw against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, Farke’s men will feel they are being left behind by a few of the Championships pace-setters as they currently sit seven points off Preston North End on six points after five games so far.
Given the incredible business the Whites managed to get done in the last days of the transfer window, and the burgeoning quality Farke had at his disposal on Saturday, many expected Leeds United to run away with the victory against Wednesday, but it ended in serious disappointment.
And failure to grab all three points in London against Millwall won’t help the confidence and morale around Farke’s camp one bit, even the morale around the Leeds United boardroom. The Whites are one of the key favourites in the division given their managerial and player staff assets but they aren’t playing as such right now.
The international break certainly gives Farke time to address the ongoing issues in his squad tactically, especially in attack after their fruitless display at the weekend.
The game against Millwall after the two-week pause will certainly provide Leeds United the chance to kickstart their season again and fulfil their early-season aims to get in amongst those at the top of the Championship tree.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites tabled multiple enquiries to sign a multi-million international winger ahead of the transfer deadline.