Leeds United are to be without Noah Okafor for potentially two games thanks to a new injury setback, and it leaves Daniel Farke with a change to make.
Leeds make their way across to Turf Moor on Saturday looking to make a statement in their pursuit of survival with a positive result.
What doesn’t help Daniel Farke is new injury issues left and right, with three of them his wide options going into the game at Turf Moor.
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Noah Okafor ruled out for Burnley v Leeds United with new injury blow
Willy Gnonto was confirmed as ruled out by Farke during his Thursday press conference. The Italian had overcome a calf strain, only to require a minor procedure to address a hernia, seeing him miss out.
Dan James, meanwhile, could feature on the bench after miraculously racing ahead of schedule following ankle ligament damage.
Noah Okafor has been ruled out of Burnley v Leeds United due to injury. (Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
However, another blow has come in the form of Noah Okafor, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that the Swiss winger is due to sit out for the next seven to 10 days.
In terms of genuine wide options, it leaves Farke with two: Brenden Aaronson and Jack Harrison.
I’d love Daniel Farke to shift to a back three after Noah Okafor’s injury blow
Losing your most potent wide threat for a crucial game like this is a massive blow. Farke has his work cut out to keep Leeds as dangerous in the final third without Okafor available.
The most obvious solution is to bring Jack Harrison in on the left wing and leave everything else as is. Harrison has been encouraging since working his way back in at Elland Road, and clearly favours the left flank after being mostly a right-sided player at Everton.
However, I would love it if Farke was willing to shift in formation to something we’ve not yet seen:
If Leeds are desperately short of wingers, their best bet for having solid width is operating with wing-backs.
Jayden Bogle’s creativity could thrive if unleashed in a freer right-wing-back role. On the left, Harrison has previous for operating in a likewise role, covered by the versatile Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Swede played both as a left-wing-back and as a wide centre-back in a three during international duty this month. He could easily play either role.
Burnley are likely to play with a lone striker, giving Leeds’ centre-backs (whoever gets the nod) ample cover. Meanwhile the three in the middle remain unchanged, but this also allows for another striker to support Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Joel Piroe remains Leeds’ best finisher. Although, everything that would be seen as a Piroe weakness is undoubtedly a DCL strength – and vice versa.
Farke noted in his press conference that he didn’t have much time this week to work with the full squad. In turn, that makes a drastic formation change much less likely, but it’s surely food for thought given the options available.
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