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Unhappy Daniel Farke issues Sam Byram injury update for Leeds United trip to Rotherham after Plymouth Argyle win
Sam Byram is “likely” to miss the game against Rotherham following the international break after picking up a hamstring strain as Leeds United beat Plymouth Argyle, Daniel Farke has revealed.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported the Whites boss’ update via Twitter following the 2-1 victory on 11 November, where the left-back was forced off in the second half to be replaced by Junior Firpo for his first appearance of the season.
Farke was already unhappy with the scheduling of the Rotherham clash on Friday 24 November, with so many Whites men away on international duty over the next fortnight, and now has an additional injury worry.
Hay wrote: “Farke says Byram has a hamstring strain. ‘He felt pain after a sprint. I had to bring Junior on in a period where I would have liked to have made it easier for him after being out for a long time. With Sam we have to wait for longer assessment.’ Likely to miss Rotherham.
“Farke not delighted that Rotherham was moved to a Friday night, at the end of an international break when Leeds will have lots of players away. ‘But it’s not Rotherham’s fault. We have to adapt. A few players will have to play without one training session in the next two weeks’.”
Concern
If there was one position that the Leeds United boss wouldn’t have wanted an injury problem then left-back is likely near the top of the list.
With Firpo the only specialist in the squad but unavailable all season so far there are more question marks on the left of the backline than most areas, but fitness concerns were always part of the equation with both Byram and the former Barcelona man.
Jamie Shackleton has also filled in at times this term but is himself recovering from an injury absence, and coupled with hernia surgery that has ruled out Pascal Struijk in the middle there is distinct danger that the strong defensive form could be derailed.
Although Byram’s issue doesn’t sound like it is a major one, and he does at least have the international break to recover, it is an unwelcome new problem for Farke.
Managers routinely express their unhappiness if they are scheduled to play a Saturday lunchtime kick-off after an international break, with players coming back at different times and often unable to train, so it is no surprise the German is not pleased to be playing even earlier.
Another win at Elland Road makes it six victories in seven for the Whites, which remains the main positive take away from the weekend’s action, but it appears there has been a sting in the tail with Byram.
In other Leeds United news, another “important” question mark in the defence has been answered in much more positive fashion.