Daniel Farke and Eddie Howe could each be without two key midfielders this weekend when Leeds United take on Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The challenge for Leeds certainly became clearer last weekend when they were comfortably beaten by title challengers Arsenal. Having lost Ethan Ampadu prior to that trip to Emirates Stadium, Farke then saw Ao Tanaka pick up a knee injury.
"It is a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury," he revealed earlier this week. "He will be out for a few weeks - [we're] not sure how long. Not back before the international break. Similar to Ampadu."
To further compound that blow, the Whites then exited the Carabao Cup on penalties at the hands of rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Leeds have played three competitive games this season and it certainly looks as though an injury issue has emerged in all of them.
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Summer signing Noah Okafor is the latest to become a doubt, as confirmed by Farke, after sustaining a groin injury. He played 84 minutes in the defeat at Hillsborough after coming on for the final stages against Arsenal the previous Saturday.
Newcastle meanwhile, have also been dealt their fair share of injury worries with Fabian Schar, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton all taken off against Liverpool this past Monday due to fitness problems with the latter set to miss the game against Leeds.
"Joelinton's scan was good, but he will miss this weekend," Howe said in his Friday press conference. "We'll hopefully get him back for the game after the international break."
Whilst it doesn't appear to be a lengthy absence for the Brazilian, Newcastle's other two fitness concerns could both feature on Saturday evening.
Regarding Tonali, Howe revealed: "I think his injury isn't serious, he's battling trying to be fit for tomorrow, but whether he will make it, I'm not sure. But really positive signs because we thought we'd be losing them for longer.
"Fabian is available. We followed concussion protocols, and he will be fine to play."
Anthony Gordon will certainly miss the journey to Leeds and the subsequent two Premier League matches after receiving a straight red card for violent conduct. With his situation still uncertain, it's no shock that Alexander Isak will also be sidelined.
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