Daniel Farke has confirmed Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka will be out of action for a few weeks due to a knee injury. The Whites boss made the admission after their Carabao Cup humbling at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
Fans favourite Tanaka, an influential figure in the Whites' title-winning season, suffered a knock in Saturday's 5-0 drubbing at Arsenal. The Japan international joins captain Ethan Ampadu on the injury list.
"It is MCL injury," said Farke. "He will be out for a few weeks, not sure how long. Not back before international break. Similar to Ampadu."
Farke made wholesale changes to his starting XI, making nine alterations from the team soundly beaten at Arsenal last weekend. His much-changed side produced a disjointed, below-par showing in the opening 45 minutes. Despite enjoying 78 per cent of possession and dominating possession, the Whites barely tested home debutant Ethan Horvath.
Thousands of Wednesday fans stayed away from Hillsborough in protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri. But those who were in attendance watched the Owls take a shock lead in the 63rd minute after Jamal Lowe's effort from an acute angle squirmed underneath Karl Darlow and into the new.
United hit back and full debutant Noah Okafor and substitute Wilfried Gnonto forced two good saves from Horvath before Jayden Bogle restored parity with nine minutes remaining.
The tie went to penalties but Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff missed their spot-kicks. The hosts converted their three penalties to book a place in the third round.
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Farke congratulated the Owls on their win. "A Premier League side is the favourite and the Championship side is more or less the underdog," he told Sky Sports. "It was just this type of football game where we had more than 85 per cent. possession.
"Somehow they managed to be one time in our box, and somehow they have scored. Yes, we have simply missed too many chances.
"I have never seen Joel Piroe miss a penalty, but he is the first one that goes and misses. It happens sometimes in football. Sometimes this type of game is written in the stars. They have fought very hard and somewhat deserve to be in the second half.
"They're all professional football players and it is not like we played an under-21 side. We were the favourite today, there is no doubt about it, but this happens quite often in a cup game."
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