Justin, Stach & Bijol: Latest Leeds injury news and expected return dates ahead of Forest showdownplaceholder image
Justin, Stach & Bijol: Latest Leeds injury news and expected return dates ahead of Forest showdown | Getty Images
The latest Leeds United injury news ahead of their relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest.
Leeds United are back in Premier League on Friday evening when they take on Nottingham Forest in a game which could have a profound influence on the relegation battle – but they may have to make do without several key players due to fresh injury problems.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Leeds manager Daniel Farke told the media that Anton Stach had been added to a list of injury concerns which included James Justin, Jaka Bijol and Lukas Nmecha, with as many as five players either out or doubts for Friday’s crucial match at Elland Road.
With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Leeds injury news below, along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.
How long will Anton Stach be out for Leeds?
Summer signing Anton Stach has been among Farke’s most impressive and influential players this season, but he is now set to miss the match against Nottingham Forest after sustaining a fresh injury.
“Anton is struggling with some hip problems after the last game,” Farke told the press on Wednesday. “[He is] likely to miss the game on Friday and also Chelsea. It's probably a situation of probably being out for 10 to 14 days, at least that is what the doctor says.”
If that timeline proves to be accurate, then Stach is also a doubt for next weekend’s FA Cup fourth round match away to Birmingham City but should be available for the following week’s trip to Aston Villa.
Another player who is set to miss out against Forest is striker Lukas Nmecha, who has yet to return to full training following a hamstring injury. Farke said that it was “unlikely” that the German forward would be involved but that he was “not too far away” from a comeback – he could be in line to play Chelsea on Tuesday.
Jaka Bijol & James Justin among defensive doubts ahead of Nottingham Forest match
There was more positive news concerning Leeds’ injured defenders, with Farke telling the press that both James Justin and Jaka Bijol could be involved against Nottingham Forest despite recent injuries.
In Justin’s case, a toe injury proved to be “just a bruise” and he has already return to full training, with Farke saying that he was “available” for Friday’s game. There is still some doubt over the involvement of Slovenian international Bijol, who faces a late fitness test as he returns from a hamstring problem, but he is back in training too after a recent layoff and Farke said that the centre-back’s situation was “positive” as it stands.
The potential return of Justin and Bijol will be a welcome relief amid growing concerns over Leeds’ defensive depth, an issue which the club surprisingly opted not to address in the January transfer window. Farke, when asked about the defence on Wednesday, said that he was “confident we can be successful with this group” but acknowledged that it would be “beneficial to have more options” after Justin filled in at centre-back against Arsenal due to fitness issues.
Another player who could be involved after returning to training is Welsh winger Daniel James, who is said to be “making progress” having been out since November with a hamstring injury of his own. The Forest game could come too soon, but he is close to completing his comeback.
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