Leeds United’s list of absentees has expanded significantly over the last fortnight, and Daniel Farke will be praying his international players remain injury-free for the next ten days or so.
Joe Rodon, Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka, Mateo Joseph, Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto, and more players will compete for their respective countries. Max Wober had a long-term knee injury during the previous break.
It has caused Wober to undergo surgery, and he is unlikely to be seen again until practically December. It leaves Leeds with little cover at centre back, and central midfield has become a major issue this month.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev will not be able to represent their respective countries due to major knee ailments. Gruev has subsequently blogged from his hospital bed, after undergoing surgery for his current ailment.
Ampadu will not require surgery, although he, Gruev, and Wober are three of Leeds’ six injured players right now, along with Manor Solomon, Dan James, and Diogo Monteiro. Aaronson, on the other hand, raises serious concerns.
Why Brenden Aaronson could miss Sheffield United’s showdown
Leeds return from their next international break with a huge clash. Bragging rights are on the line as Leeds play promotion contenders and local rivals Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday, October 18.
That calls Aaronson’s availability into question. Mauricio Pochettino has named Aaronson to his debut United States squad, which will face Panama on Sunday at 2 a.m., followed by a match against Mexico next Wednesday.
The game against Mexico takes place at 3.30 a.m. on October 16, fewer than 72 hours before Leeds meet Wilder’s Blades. Jet lag, lethargy, sharpness, and fitness will all be questioned for the £25 million Aaronson.
Leeds need Aaronson, but the Sheffield United encounter is probably too soon.
It’s no surprise that Sheffield United’s visit to Leeds was chosen by Sky Sports. However, it is beyond imagination that the Championship schedule allows for a Friday night game directly following an international break.
Leeds’ international players this month:
- Brenden Aaronson (USA face Panama and Mexico, 13th and 16th October)
- Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow (Wales face Iceland and Montenegro, 11th and 14th)
- Junior Firpo (Dominican Republic face Antigua & Barbuda twice, 12th and 15th)
- Wilfried Gnonto (Italy U21’s face Ireland, 15th)
- Mateo Joseph (Spain U21’s face Kazakhstan and Malta, 10th and 15th)
Rodon, Firpo, Gnonto, Joseph, and Tanaka will complete their international duties on Tuesday evening. Rodon and Karl Darlow will play their second game on Monday night. Tanaka, early afternoon Tuesday.
Firpo, Gnonto, and Joseph will be in action on Tuesday evening. Even that is pushing it, but Aaronson appears to be in serious trouble after having to play in the early hours of Wednesday and then fly from Mexico to England.
