Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph ruled out – Early Leeds United team news v Cardiff City
Daniel Farke has confirmed that Leeds United will be without three players for their opening Championship clash against Cardiff City on Sunday (6 August).
The Whites welcome the Bluebirds to Elland Road in what is the former’s first match back in the division following their relegation from the Premier League in May.
But they will be without strikers Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph for the opening-day clash in West Yorkshire.
“Bamford has a hamstring injury, he won’t return before the first international break, so he will definitely miss the next few games,” Farke said in his pre-match press conference on the club’s official YouTube channel.
“With Rutter, it looks slightly better. He has a core injury, so he will definitely miss out on Sunday and the League Cup game against Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
“Bad news with Joseph also, he rolled his ankle in training on Wednesday. We feared at first, but it looks better right now. He will miss the next three to four weeks. His ligament is injured, no surgery is needed but he will definitely miss out the next games.”
Huge moment
The upcoming match against Cardiff is a massive moment for Farke, for the Leeds players and indeed fans of the West Yorkshire club.
The supporters will undoubtedly be in full voice as they cheer their team on at Elland Road, desperate for things to get off on a positive note after the miserable season last time out.
The players meanwhile have a huge point to prove after the disappointment of being relegated to the Championship, although those that have stayed to at least deserve some credit for wanting to stay on and fight for promotion.
As for Farke, the German will be expecting a very tough test, but he will be massively disappointed with anything other than three points from his first match in charge, particularly in front of the home supporters.
The major issue is that Cardiff have a superb incentive to come to Elland Road and really spoil the party, with the Bluebirds also keen to kick their season off with a win.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites transfer development has emerged as one star man is “not agitating” for Elland Road exit.