It is not Leeds United without a crisis just around the corner, and that seems to be the case once again ahead of Saturday’s return to Premier League action against Fulham.
The September international break is drawing to a close, with players set to start trickling back towards their clubs this week. Leeds only had a handful of players on National Team duty during September.
Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol did battle against each other, while Joe Rodon pulled out of Wales duty to observe concussion protocol. It is expected Rodon will be fine when Leeds play against Fulham.
Dan James and Karl Darlow remain on National Team duty, while Ilia Gruev is set to make his way back to Yorkshire ahead of Saturday’s trip to London. But there is bad news for Daniel Farke, regarding Gruev.
Ilia Gruev in action for Leeds against Newcastle.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Daniel Farke left with midfield crisis ahead of Fulham clash
Going into the break, Leeds were down to their bare bones in midfield. Ethan Ampadu picked up an MCL injury against Everton. Then Ao Tanaka did the same at Arsenal. There is hope Ampadu is back for Fulham.
Against Newcastle, Farke had no other choice but to name his three remaining midfielders in his XI. Gruev, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach impressed during the 0-0 draw at Elland Road prior to the break.
However, Farke could now be without Gruev as well. Bulgaria lost 3-0 to Georgia on Sunday and it looked as though Gruev had been rested for the first 45 minutes, initially handing Leeds and Farke a small boost.
Bulgaria manager Ilian Iliev.
Photo by Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images
But now, Bulgaria’s manager Ilian Iliev has explained the reason he took Gruev out of the starting line-up initially, before bringing him on at half-time. He told a press conference that Gruev played with an injury.
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“Gruev had problems, questionable whether to start or come in as a sub. He came in and coped, I hope there are no consequences from the fact that he played with problems,” Iliev said, as per Palms Sport.
Who starts in midfield if Gruev, Tanaka and Ampadu are injured?
Last season, when Leeds were left with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell in midfield, Farke utilised the free agent market. Now, he’s down to just two central midfielders again ahead of the trip to face Fulham.
Ampadu is expected back for Fulham, but it is a big ask of Ampadu to come back in after what is almost a month and play a full 90 minutes. Only new signings Stach and Longstaff could be fit to face Fulham.
Daniel Farke during Leeds clash against Newcastle.
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Perhaps, Jaka Bijol could come in at centre-back and free up Pascal Struijk to play as a holding midfielder. Brenden Aaronson could also drop in as a no.8 and either Longstaff or Stach anchor the Leeds midfield.
Either way, it sounds like Leeds could now be without Gruev against Fulham on Saturday, while Ampadu is in a race against time to prove he has overcome his MCL injury. Tanaka meanwhile, is definitely missing.