Leeds United are facing the impossible as Daniel Farke takes his struggling side to The Etihad to take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and the Leeds boss has given an injury update.
Five defeats in six Premier League games have seen Leeds slip into the bottom three and now, Farke’s men face Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of a week. It is easy to imagine eight losses in nine.
Farke is coming under intense pressure. LeedsUnited.news understands that the 49ers are aware of the restlessness of supporters, but are keen not to make any knee-jerk decisions and sack Farke too early.
However, it does feel that Farke will need a result in the next three games, despite the difficulty of the opponent. On Thursday, Farke spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday afternoon’s trip to The Etihad.
Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff of Leeds United against Bournemouth's Tyler Adams
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Daniel Farke delivers injury update as Leeds take on Man City
Ahead of the defeat to Aston Villa, Farke confirmed a clean bill of health for his Leeds side. Dan James, Willy Gnonto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin all came off the bench during the 2-1 loss after recent injuries.
However, Anton Stach was replaced in the first half of the defeat by Ao Tanaka with the Germany star possibly suffering a concussion. Farke delivered an update on his squad in Thursday’s press conference.
Farke confirmed that Stach would be undergoing concussion protocols this week and would return on Sunday, but Sean Longstaff has suffered a calf injury and will be out for the entire Christmas period.
“Overall, many players in training. Anton Stach will definitely miss the Man City game due to concussion protocols. If everything works in our favour, he will be allowed to return to team training on Sunday.
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“Sadly, Sean Longstaff will miss the game, he suffered a calf injury in the last game. He will be out for four to six weeks, not ideal. Sebastiaan Bornauw has an MCL injury, we will make a late call with him.”
Daniel Farke’s pre-Man City press conference
How will Leeds United line-up against Man City on Saturday?
There are a handful of areas in which Farke will need to consider a change come Saturday. With Stach missing, the two enforced changes the German gaffer will have to make is in the middle of the park.
Ao Tanaka impressed before being subbed off after coming on against Villa and he’s an easy choice to replace Stach. Then, Farke will have to make a decision when it comes to replacing Sean Longstaff.
The chances are that Ilia Gruev could come in and be asked to play ahead of Ethan Ampadu in Longstaff’s role. Brenden Aaronson has also played centrally on occasion late in games and he could be used.
Lucas Perri is under fire, Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol is still up for debate, as is Calvert-Lewin or former Man City player Lukas Nmecha. On the right wing, fans are begging Farke to start James on the right.
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