Sebastiaan Bornauw and Willy Gnonto alongside each other.
Credit: Imago
Samuel Fabre
Thu 13 November 2025 19:10, UK
Leeds are facing a race against time to see if Sebastiaan Bornauw and Willy Gnonto will be fully fit for their Premier League meeting with Aston Villa on 23 November.
With the November international break getting underway, Daniel Farke isn’t just hoping for his players to return fit and healthy, but he is monitoring the developments of his players who are currently injured.
Gnonto underwent hernia surgery, and he hasn’t featured for Farke’s side since 13 September.
Bornauw joined Leeds from Wolfsburg for a fee of £5.1million in the summer transfer window, but the Belgium international has had recurring issues with his knee.
Leeds are in desperate need of a win against Villa at Elland Road to ease their relegation fears, and injury expert Ben Dinnery has provided an update hinting at Gnonto’s return.
Willy Gnonto in Leeds gear
Credit: Imago
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Bornauw’s time at Leeds has been underwhelming, making just one appearance in the Carabao Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday, while Gnonto is yet to showcase his ability in the Premier League this season.
Dinnery, writing via his Premier Injuries website, reports that both players could potentially return for the clash at Elland Road.
Gnonto has been given a 75 per cent chance of being available, whilst Bornauw has a 50:50 probability of featuring against Villa.
Speaking ahead of Leeds’ 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, Farke said: “There’s a little question mark behind Sebastiaan.
“He got a hit against his MCL during this week, also missed a training session, so a little question mark behind his availability, but all the others are fine and ready to go.”
In regard to Gnonto, Farke added: “Willy Gnonto is well. He’s been in team training for two full weeks. It’s good, you can see him growing each and every day.”
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2022-23 28 4 4
2023-24 44 9 3
2024-25 46 9 6
2025-26 5 0 1
Gnonto’s record for Leeds
The Italian winger burst onto the scene at Leeds, registering six goal contributions in his Premier League season in 2022-23.
He has gone on to make 90 appearances across two Championship seasons, and Farke is clearly desperate to have him available once again.
Gnonto is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia ahead of the January transfer window, yet should he not leave, he would play a key role in keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
Leeds United Premier League goalscoring stats
Leeds Premier League goalscoring stats
Bornauw has not made the impact that he would have hoped to have made at Leeds, and supporters know little about his ability to play at this level.
Meanwhile, Leeds may have a fresh injury concern to deal with as Gabriel Gudmundsson is absent for Sweden due to concussion protocols.
However, he should be cleared to return well in advance of the Aston Villa match.
What role could Sebastiaan Bornauw play at Leeds?
Bornauw came in expecting to be a squad player, but his prospects of getting any minutes look incredibly slim.
Barring an injury crisis in defence, the 26-year-old centre-back will suffer as a result of Leeds’ Carabao Cup exit, and the Peacocks can’t afford to rotate their team in the Premier League.
Having made four caps for Belgium, he’ll be desperate to play regular first-team football to better his chances of being called up to the 2026 World Cup squad.
The 26-year-old will have an incredibly tough time getting into the starting lineup ahead of Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol, with Pascal Struijk being the third-choice centre-back.
Regardless of his status in the squad, Leeds will need all of their players fit to give themselves the best chances of avoiding relegation.
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