Leeds United are now heading for an absolutely enormous Elland Road showdown against title-chasing Manchester City - for which three players are out and three more doubtful but four others now back.
Leeds and City will lock horns for the second time this season in Saturday’s 5.30pm kick-off at LS11 in a massive game at both ends of the table.
The two teams are fighting for very different causes, Daniel Farke’s Whites battling to survive their first season back in the Premier League which Pep Guardiola’s men are looking to win for a fifth time in the last six years.
Both sides are well-placed to achieve their objectives, Leeds six points clear of the relegation zone with 11 games left after Saturday’s excellent 1-1 draw at third-placed Aston Villa who themselves are not yet out of the title race.
City, though, fresh from Saturday’s 2-1 win at home to Newcastle United. know they will be crowned Premier League champions once again if winning every remaining fixture by virtue of still having to play leaders Arsenal at the Etihad.
The same, however, is true of Arsenal who are five points ahead of City but having played a game more. It all means Saturday evening’s clash at Elland Road presents a mouth-watering prospect, ahead of which we run through the early injury news from both camps.
One of four players now back, Whites centre-back Struijk returning from a hip injury to start Saturday's clash at Aston Villa and coming through the full match. A huge boost as he and Leeds face Erling Haaland for the second time this season.
1. BACK: Pascal Struijk
One of four players now back, Whites centre-back Struijk returning from a hip injury to start Saturday's clash at Aston Villa and coming through the full match. A huge boost as he and Leeds face Erling Haaland for the second time this season. | Getty Images
Stach was out injured for November's clash at the Etihad but his return, also from a hip injury, is another huge boost for Daniel Farke's side. Like Struijk, the German went straight back into the side for Saturday's clash at Villa and scored a majestic free-kick as part of a stellar all round display in which he played 83 minutes.
2. BACK: Anton Stach
Stach was out injured for November's clash at the Etihad but his return, also from a hip injury, is another huge boost for Daniel Farke's side. Like Struijk, the German went straight back into the side for Saturday's clash at Villa and scored a majestic free-kick as part of a stellar all round display in which he played 83 minutes. | Getty Images
Whites winger James suffered a hamstring tendon injury in November's defeat at City which led to two months out and the Wales international star them missed the recent FA Cup clash at Birmingham City due to back pain. James, though, returned to training last week and was back on the bench as an unused substitute for the weekend's clash at Villa.
3. BACK: Dan James
Whites winger James suffered a hamstring tendon injury in November's defeat at City which led to two months out and the Wales international star them missed the recent FA Cup clash at Birmingham City due to back pain. James, though, returned to training last week and was back on the bench as an unused substitute for the weekend's clash at Villa. | Getty Images
City's Brazilian winger Savinho had been out since suffering a quad injury in the goalless draw at Sunderland on New Year's Day but the 21-year-old is now back in the mix and made Saturday's bench against Newcastle as an unused substitute. Another addition to City's incredible range of attacking options.
4. BACK: Savinho
City's Brazilian winger Savinho had been out since suffering a quad injury in the goalless draw at Sunderland on New Year's Day but the 21-year-old is now back in the mix and made Saturday's bench against Newcastle as an unused substitute. Another addition to City's incredible range of attacking options. | AFP via Getty Images
City's versatile Croatian international defender Gvardiol is a longer term absentee as he recovers from a tibial fracture to his right leg suffered in January's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.
5. OUT: Josko Gvardiol
City's versatile Croatian international defender Gvardiol is a longer term absentee as he recovers from a tibial fracture to his right leg suffered in January's 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea. | Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Another Croatian international star, City midfielder Kovacic is another longer term injury, the 31-year-old on the comeback trail having had surgery in November after Achilles/ankle injuries.
6. OUT: Mateo Kovacic
Another Croatian international star, City midfielder Kovacic is another longer term injury, the 31-year-old on the comeback trail having had surgery in November after Achilles/ankle injuries. | Getty Images