Daniel Farke faces selection headache with two more Leeds United first-team stars ruled out
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is facing difficulties just a matter of days into the season with the injuries at Elland Road continuing to pile up.
The Championship campaign didn’t get off to the best of starts for the German as he saw his side go two goals down at home to Cardiff in the first half. Luckily the Whites were able to fight back and avoid opening day defeat, although they did leave it late.
Liam Cooper grabbed a goal back early in the second half but was injured in the process and needed to be stretchered off the field of play. Fellow goalscorer Crysencio Summerville, who levelled the match in stoppage time, is now also set to face a spell on the sidelines, with both players paying the price for their contributions.
Leeds United have officially confirmed the injuries themselves via an official announcement on the club’s website (8 August).
“Leeds United can confirm Liam Cooper ruptured his plantar fascia during Sunday’s 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw with Cardiff City.
“As a result of the injury, the Whites captain is ruled out of action for up to eight weeks.
“Crysencio Summerville, who scored Sunday’s late equaliser, also picked up a groin strain during the match, ruling the winger out for up to three weeks.
And they both join Junior Firpo, who is already recovering from a previous injury and will not be ready to return to action anytime soon.
“Junior Firpo is still recovering from torn lateral ligaments in his knee and is expected to be out for at least four more weeks.”
Farke will be scratching his head and wondering what exactly he did to deserve this rotten luck. He now faces a selection headache in the attacking department with Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter all also out injured.
Luckily for those at Elland Road, the transfer window is still open and it now seems as if the market might become their best friend. With several players out for lengthy periods, the club cannot afford to paper over the cracks or they will risk falling behind in the Championship’s race for promotion, even this early on.
Farke could currently field a starting line-up with the 11 players he now has out injured and with only Karl Darlow and Ethan Ampadu arriving so far during the window, it seems as if this won’t be enough.
In other Leeds United news, a loan-to-buy deal is being discussed for another first-team star at the club.