Prior to Leeds United’s trip to Watford on Friday, Daniel Farke is undoubtedly having some selection headaches.
By the time the Whites take the field at Vicarage Road, it will have been 12 days since their last match, but it is safe to say that the international break has not been kind to them.
Connor Roberts, Willy Gnonto, and Ilia Gruev are all questionable going into the game after returning from international duty with issues, as Farke confirmed in his press conference earlier today.
Roberts suffered a thigh injury that required him to be replaced in the 84th minute for Wales, and Gnonto and Gruev are complaining of hamstring and ankle problems, respectively.
Farke already had doubts about his players’ fitness, and this has made matters worse. Pascal Struijk is now out for the season, and Junior Firpo and Georginio Rutter are also questionable.
Although Firpo is still not expected back at Thorp Arch until tomorrow, having only wrapped up international action for the Dominican Republic in the wee hours of this morning in Peru, Farke did provide a promising update regarding Rutter.
Farke affirms that the 30-year-old is prepared to start for Leeds if necessary
Firpo’s time with the Dominican and the short turnaround before Good Friday make it improbable that he will be fit to start for Watford. Now that Roberts appears to be out as well, Leeds appears to be severely stretched at the back.
Despite Byram’s personal injury struggles this season, Farke says he is prepared to play if needed, as he has been practicing with the team for the past two weeks.
He said: “Sam was with us last two weeks so he is prepared if I need him but it’s too early to speak about. Under normal circumstances, Junior wouldn’t be possible to start the game because he played in the early hours of this morning. “Due to the time difference he’s back late morning tomorrow but I can’t rule out anything at the moment because we have to wait for the assessment.”
Predicted Leeds XI to face Watford
Given all the injury updates that Farke gave earlier today, it will be interesting to watch how he lineups his team at Vicarage Road. Fortunately, Leeds will have an additional 48 hours to rest before the match, which should allow players like Gnonto and Gruev enough time to rehabilitate. If all goes wrong and none of Gnonto, Gruev, Rutter, Firpo, or Roberts play, Leeds’ team may not resemble the one that defeated Millwall the previous game.
Jamie Shackleton and Liam Cooper may be called into question, which could allow Archie Gray or Ethan Ampadu to move into the midfield.