Leeds United are set to be without two key players until at least January, according to club legend Paul Robinson, who appeared on the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
The Whites will be without Bulgarian international Ilia Gruev who sustained an injury in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Carrow Road. Gruev has undergone knee surgery and will be sidelined for several months.
Gruev has been capped 18 times by his country and joined the club from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen in a deal worth over £6 million. The 24-year-old started all eight of his side’s Championship matches before picking up the injury in Norfolk, and his absence will be a blow to Daniel Farke’s promotion hopes.
Fellow midfield man Ethan Ampadu will also have to wait until the turn of the year before making his return to first-team action. The 24-year-old, who already has 54 Wales caps to his name, suffered a knee ligament issue during Leeds’ 3-0 home triumph over Coventry City.
The former Chelsea man had captained the Elland Road side until his injury which is another huge loss to Farke. The former Norwich City boss finds his options in the midfield areas limited, with Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka his only fit first-team options.
Robinson, who made close to 120 appearances for Leeds, told the Football Insider, “Both of their first-choice midfielders are going to be out for the foreseeable. They’ll probably both be out until January at least.
“That’s going to be an issue for them. If you look at Rothwell and Tanaka, they have got players who can fill in there.”
“Daniel Farke is two short of a full midfield, that’s clear, but I’m not convinced there’s a need to enter the market for free agents just yet. If either Rothwell or Tanaka gets injured, though, there will be a need for that.”
The lack of options available in the middle of the park has led to reports the club are set to sign former Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté.
Writer’s View
This is a huge double blow for Leeds who find themselves in a tightly packed group of promotion chasers. Farke is going to need reinforcements, such as Kouyaté, to ensure he has cover for the hectic Championship schedule.
Leeds will be hoping to still be in the chasing pack come the new year when the two injured players will feel like January signings.
