Leeds United: Ilia Gruev and Willy Gnonto injury updates shared ahead of game vs Coventry City
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has shared an early team news update ahead of the Championship clash with Coventry City this weekend.
Leeds make the trip to the CBS Arena aiming to build on Monday’s (2 April) 3-1 victory over Hull City at Elland Road.
The Whites enter the latest round of fixtures sitting in second place, one point better off than third-place Leicester City who have a game in hand.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday (4 April), as per the club’s official X account, Farke confirmed that Ilia Gruev is in contention to return, but Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts remain out.
Jamie Shackleton has also been ruled out for a fortnight with an adductor problem.
“We’re still struggling with a few,” Farke said. “All the players who were in the squad for the last game are also available for Coventry as it stands, with one exception.
“Jamie Shackleton has problems with his adductor and is out for two weeks at least. He will definitely miss the Coventry game.
“A few are on the road to come back. Gruev is the closest because he’s limited only by pain and swelling but hasn’t trained with the team.
“We have 48 hours before the game, so there’s a little chance he’s available. Gnonto and Roberts we are less clear [when they will be back].
“They have muscle strains and we were told they would be out for three weeks. They have already been out for nine days so they are edging closer. Hopefully they will be ready for the Middlesbrough game.”
Leeds United team news vs Coventry City
This weekend’s clash with Coventry is a massive match for Leeds, as is every game between now and the end of the campaign.
The late win against Hull was huge for Farke’s men and ensures they remain thick in the automatic promotion hunt.
Given just how tight it is at the top, any slip-ups over the coming weeks could prove costly come the end of the campaign.
United have been near faultless this calendar year. Even when not at their best, they have still managed to turn possible defeats into draws.
Coventry will be tough opponents on Saturday (6 April), but there is no reason why Leeds cannot get the job done and remain in the top two.
Farke will then be eager to have a fully-fit squad to choose from over the next 10 days or so, with Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers visiting Elland Road in quick succession.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has an easy decision to make on Dan James against Coventry.
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