Leeds United have two weeks to get some of their injured bodies back before the next game against Sheffield United.
The Whites were without five key first team players for Friday night’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland in which they were just seconds away from picking up a huge three points.
With Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Manor Solomon, Dan James and Max Wober all out, Leeds battled superbly to come from behind and lead at the Stadium of Light.
However, an incredible error from Illan Meslier in the 97th minute prevented Leeds from coming away with what would have been a stunning win considering the absences.
And it does not get any easier for Leeds after the break as the Championship’s only unbeaten side (at the time of writing) Sheffield United travel to Elland Road.
Ilia Gruev posts message to Leeds fans from hospital bed
Daniel Farke had a fairly positive injury update to bring in his post-match press conference, suggesting both Solomon and James could be back against the Blades.
However, for the likes of Ampadu, Gruev and Wober, a more long-term injury lay-off is on the cards.
Ampadu is set for 10 weeks out, while both Wober and Gruev have been forced to undergo surgery, the latter of which had his today.
The £4m ace is expected to be out for a significant number of months after limping off injured inside 20 minutes at Norwich City on Tuesday night.
Today’s surgery is the beginning of that long road back to recovery and Gruev has posted a quick little message on his Instagram story to update Leeds fans on the situation.
He said: “I will be back soon!”
Farke shares whether Leeds could replace Gruev with free agent
Having suggested it was unlikely on Wednesday, Farke seemed more open to the prospect of a free agent coming into replace Gruev last night.
Farke says it is absolutely something Leeds will look at, though that does not mean someone will definitely be coming in.
He said: “On the midfielder position, after the horrendous news with Ilia Gruev, my attitude [is] I actually don’t like October signings of free agents. I don’t believe in it, but when the times are strange, you have to think it.
“It’s one of our professional duties to have a look if there is something out there that makes sense because both holding midfielders, both deep sixes, are not available for several weeks and months.
“Ilia will have surgery, by the way, tomorrow, so we hope it will go well and we can speak a bit more concrete about how long he will be out.
“So I hope also that surgery goes well and that we can also use the next two weeks to bring a few players after injuries even a bit closer to the team.
“Yes, it’s definitely one of our professional duties to have a look if there is something, even out of coincidence, out there that would help us in this situation. Yes, we have to do this.”
Discussion about this post