Leeds United began the season quite remarkably with no injuries but the famous Elland Road luck has quickly turned and last week, Daniel Farke was without a number of key players.
Prior to the win at Cardiff, Daniel Farke said six Leeds players were doubts with Dan James definitely out. Patrick Bamford, Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, Joe Rothwell, Manor Solomon and Max Wober were all doubts.
Bamford was on the bench after a hamstring injury, as was Rothwell. Firpo and Rodon started the match but Solomon and Wober were missing with the international duo suffering from back and knee injuries.
Until Farke speaks in Thursday’s press conference, it will not be confirmed what the status is with Wober and Solomon. Time is likely to be given to Solomon given his year-long spell out with a meniscus issue.
But Leeds man Wober’s case is intriguing. He already suffered a calf issue this term but played for Austria during the international break, playing 90 minutes in the first before missing Austria’s second game.
Leeds defender Max Wober may have to undergo operation
Reports in Austria said Wober was suffering with ‘knee problems’ and that saw him miss Austria’s clash against Norway, remaining an unused sub. He has not been involved against either Burnley or Cardiff.
Now, journalist Peter Linden says on his website that Wober is actually attempting to recover from a meniscus injury, like Solomon’s year-long problem that limited him to just six Tottenham appearances.
Indeed, Linden also said that ‘an operation is under discussion’ for Wober in order to correct the issue. It is unclear how long an operation may keep Wober out, a player that Farke told LUTV is “top class”.
The Leeds youngsters that could come in as Wober cover
With Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell leaving Leeds, The Whites are lacking in cover at centre-back. Joe Rodon has joined permanently and Pascal Struijk is back, with Wober acting as cover at the moment.
But other than that, Leeds lack serious cover. Ethan Ampadu is likely to be the first player that Farke turns to if either Rodon or Struijk pick up a knock or a suspension, with Wober now set to be on the sidelines.
Leeds youngsters that can cover Wober:
- James Debayo
- Reuben Lopata-White
- Jeremiah Mullen
- Kris Moore
- Diogo Monteiro
Debayo was one of six Leeds youngsters called-up for the Germany training camp. Recently, Lopata-White was spotted in first-team Leeds training, while Mullen has been on the bench for Leeds a few times.
Moore is another option and played against Manchester United in Farke’s first pre-season friendly. Monteiro is an interesting one. Costing £1m, Monteiro is now struggling to start for Leeds’ U21 side.
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