Leeds United will look to end a run of three consecutive defeats in Saturday’s clash at title-chasing Manchester City - for which fresh blows have left three men out and two more a doubt.
City and Leeds sit at opposite ends of the Premier League table, City third but Leeds now third-bottom after losing three games on the spin for the first time this season.
The two teams have also had very different run-ups to Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at the Etihad, Leeds having a free midweek but City playing in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
The week of rest, though, has not led to Leeds faring better than their hosts on the injuries front with fresh blows ruling big players out of Saturday afternoon’s clash in Manchester although City also have key men out.
Upon fresh team news being provided, here, we run through the latest injury news from both camps including a star now being back.
A big one for City - a Ballon d'Or winner - and seemingly a player unlikely to be back this weekend. Rodri has not started a game since suffering a hamstring injury in October’s win at Brentford. After missing the Premier League clashes against Everton and Aston Villa, Rodri bagged one minute from the bench in the 3-1 win against Bournemouth at the start of the month but has not featured since. Asked on Monday whether he had a time when he expected Rodri back, boss Pep Guardiola said: “Not long, not sure but not long. He is in the process of the timing that he will be back and when he is back we will wait a little, little bit more to be sure that he is fine.”
1. DOUBT: Rodri
A big one for City - a Ballon d'Or winner - and seemingly a player unlikely to be back this weekend. Rodri has not started a game since suffering a hamstring injury in October’s win at Brentford. After missing the Premier League clashes against Everton and Aston Villa, Rodri bagged one minute from the bench in the 3-1 win against Bournemouth at the start of the month but has not featured since. Asked on Monday whether he had a time when he expected Rodri back, boss Pep Guardiola said: “Not long, not sure but not long. He is in the process of the timing that he will be back and when he is back we will wait a little, little bit more to be sure that he is fine.” | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
One of three fresh blows for Leeds and a doubt, Whites boss Daniel Farke revealing at Thursday's pre-match press conference that Belgian international defender Bornauw had missed training with some MCL problems and that a late call would be made on his availability.
2. DOUBT: Sebastiaan Bornauw
One of three fresh blows for Leeds and a doubt, Whites boss Daniel Farke revealing at Thursday's pre-match press conference that Belgian international defender Bornauw had missed training with some MCL problems and that a late call would be made on his availability. | AFP via Getty Images
Croatian international midfielder Kovacic has played just four minutes of football so far this season and is now recovering from ankle surgery. It was thought that Kovacic would be facing a few months out, the 31-year-old expected to be back in the new year.
3. OUT: Mateo Kovacic
Croatian international midfielder Kovacic has played just four minutes of football so far this season and is now recovering from ankle surgery. It was thought that Kovacic would be facing a few months out, the 31-year-old expected to be back in the new year. | Getty Images
A new Leeds blow confirmed by Farke at Thursday's pre-match press conference, German midfielder Stach suffering a blow to the head as he landed after challenging Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the move which led to Lukas Nmecha's opener in Sunday's defeat to Villa. Stach attempted to play on but a concussion substitution was eventually used to take him off and the German will definitely miss Saturday's game due to concussion protocols. Set to return to training on Sunday if all goes well.
4. OUT: Anton Stach
A new Leeds blow confirmed by Farke at Thursday's pre-match press conference, German midfielder Stach suffering a blow to the head as he landed after challenging Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the move which led to Lukas Nmecha's opener in Sunday's defeat to Villa. Stach attempted to play on but a concussion substitution was eventually used to take him off and the German will definitely miss Saturday's game due to concussion protocols. Set to return to training on Sunday if all goes well. | Getty Images
Another fresh Leeds blow and the biggest one of the lot, Farke revealing that centre midfielder Longstaff was now facing four to six weeks with a calf injury suffered in last weekend's defeat to Villa. Longstaff has been virtually ever present, starting every league game apart form the Everton opener since joining from Newcastle United and quickly becoming a key player.
5. OUT: Sean Longstaff
Another fresh Leeds blow and the biggest one of the lot, Farke revealing that centre midfielder Longstaff was now facing four to six weeks with a calf injury suffered in last weekend's defeat to Villa. Longstaff has been virtually ever present, starting every league game apart form the Everton opener since joining from Newcastle United and quickly becoming a key player. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
A big Leeds boost, Italian international winger Gnonto finally bagging his first minutes since September when brought on as an 80th-minute substitute in Sunday's defeat to Villa. The Italian had been back in training for a few weeks after recovering from calf issues and then minor hernia surgery.
6. BACK: Willy Gnonto
A big Leeds boost, Italian international winger Gnonto finally bagging his first minutes since September when brought on as an 80th-minute substitute in Sunday's defeat to Villa. The Italian had been back in training for a few weeks after recovering from calf issues and then minor hernia surgery. | Getty Images