Daniel Farke has provided Leeds United injury updates on key men.
Leeds United have three definite absences and three further injury doubts ahead of their trip to Manchester United and two star men might not play again in April.
Daniel Farke came armed with bad news to his press conference to preview the game at Old Trafford with several key players struggling through injury following Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final win at West Ham United.
Midfielder Anton Stach limped out of the game after being wiped out in the penalty area by Max Kilman. The German later posted a photo of his badly-swollen ankle on social media.
Joe Rodon also turned his ankle after an awkward fall when attacking a set-piece and left the tie early. Noah Okafor was withdrawn after feeling his hamstrings following a sprint. Daniel James and Gabriel Gudmundsson both missed the cup game and Jaka Bijol played but picked up a knock.
"Not the best news today in general”
"Not the best news today in general," said Farke. "Anton will definitely miss the game on Monday, ankle injury. Also Joe Rodon will miss the game, ankle injury for him. Daniel James will also miss the game, he sadly had an adductor strain in the session before the game. Jaka Bijol is currently struggling with a knock, he was not in training yet this week.
“Noah Okafor today not in team training, struggling with some back problems, question mark with his availability. Gabi Gudmundsson came back with some light groin problems, he's making light progress. But all three of them are doubts.
“If we played tomorrow all three wouldn't be available. Thank God the game is on Monday. I hope I have all three available, we need our players ready and fit."
“Realistically we have to say we'll see them back in May”
The ankle injuries for Stach and Rodon could rule them out of the rest of April's fixtures, which include trips to Manchester United and Bournemouth, a crucial home clash with Wolves and the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.
"Difficult to say, a ligament injury in the ankle," said Farke. "Normally you would say it was not realistic that they would be able to help us in April.
“Our medical department is trying everything, you want to have these players back as soon as possible. We will try step-by-step. If they were able to feature in April it would be a bonus, realistically we have to say we'll see them back in May."
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