Leeds without Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Daniel James for Monday trip to Man United
Leeds boss Daniel Farke also revealed three other key players – Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson – could also miss out
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has confirmed he will be without Anton Stach, Joe Rodon and Daniel James for Monday’s Premier League game at arch-rivals Manchester United.
And Farke revealed three other key players – Jaka Bijol, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson – could also miss out as injuries threaten to undermine Leeds’ survival bid.
Germany midfielder Stach and Wales defender Rodon both sustained ankle injuries in Sunday’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at West Ham.
Farke said: “Not the best news. Stach will miss Monday’s game with an ankle injury, Rodon will also miss the game with an ankle injury and James will also miss the game, with an adductor strain.
“There are a few more question marks. Bijol is struggling with a knock and has not been in team training this week and Okafor has not been in team training with back problems.
“Gudmundsson is making light progress. He sustained groin problems after the international break, but all three are doubts.
“If we played tomorrow they wouldn’t play. Thank God the game is on Monday, but hopefully we can have all three ready. We need our players ready and fit.”
Stach was forced out of Sunday’s cup tie following a first-half challenge by West Ham defender Maximilian Kilman and could be sidelined for the rest of April, while Rodon limped out early in the second period.
“It’s difficult to say (on Stach),” Farke added. “It is a ligament injury. Hopefully he can feature in April, but that would be a bonus. Our medical department are doing everything they can.”
Farke’s side, four points and three places above the relegation zone, are without a win in their last six league matches, but have lost only two of those – both 1-0 home defeats to Manchester City and Sunderland.
During that run they have taken a point from games at Chelsea, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace and also from their home game against Brentford before the international break.
Leeds reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years with Sunday’s victory at West Ham and must now re-focus on their relegation battle.
They have not won at Old Trafford in the league in 18 previous visits – they last won there in the league in 1981 – and will be bidding for their first league success against their Roses rivals in over 23 years.