Leeds United are down to the bare bones as a number of injuries over the past few weeks have seen the injury list grow to a lengthy list of seven players currently unavailable.
Ethan Ampadu has been sidelined until the new year, the biggest blow. The Leeds skipper has picked up a knee injury and is out for 10 weeks, but he will need team training before he can be used by Farke again.
Ilia Gruev picked up a knock at Norwich on Tuesday night. Farke said he is waiting for Gruev’s scan before knowing whether he can pick the Bulgaria star for his squad against Sunderland away on Friday night.
Manor Solomon, Dan James and Isaac Schmidt have injuries while Max Wober has undergone surgery on the knee injury he picked up while with Austria. Diogo Monteiro has has an operation on his shoulder.
But injuries to some players have opened up opportunities for others. On Tuesday night, Joe Rothwell made his first telling contribution to Leeds’ push for promotion and Joe Gelhardt also came on for Leeds.
Daniel Farke comments on fringe players Rothwell and Gelhardt
Indeed, Rothwell played 70 minutes after replacing Gruev. On-loan Rothwell even hinted at frustration at a lack of game time on Instagram, but he is now key until the October international break due to injuries.
He will surely start on Friday even if Gruev can be named in the squad, while Gelhardt came off the bench at Carrow Road. Farke was asked about the duo during Wednesday’s press conference before Sunderland.
“I trust my whole squad. Joe Rothwell and Joe Gelhardt, it is important to trust the players and back these players. We are ina competitive environment where everyone is sharp and ready to go,” Farke said.
Joe Gelhardt will only play for Leeds if he changes his natural role
Up top, Leeds are well-stocked. Despite all the injuries, Leeds do have numerous options up top in the form of Mateo Joseph, Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe. Gelhardt is fourth choice for the lone-striker role.
Where Gelhardt has played for Leeds in 16 appearances under Farke:
| Position used by Farke | Appearances |
| Right wing | 5 |
| Attacking midfield (10) | 4 |
| Left wing | 1 |
| Striker | 6 |
Luca Thomas is even shining for Leeds in the 21’s, scoring a brace on Tuesday night in the National League Cup. If Gelhardt is to get any game time, he needs to work on playing as a winger or even a no.10.
On Tuesday night, Gelhardt came on as a winger for Leeds – his largest involvement, squaring up to Borja Sainz. If Gelhardt is to have any chance of reigniting his Leeds career, he needs to start playing out wide.
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