Former Leeds United player Jon Newsome has admitted that he does not expect Pascal Struijk to return to the club even if he regains fitness, citing Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu’s form.
Rodon and Ampadu were again strong at the heart of Leeds’ defence as they defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Hillsborough on Friday night.
The Welsh couple have been fantastic together as a centre-back tandem, despite Ampadu not being a natural defender and only returning to defence because to Struijk’s injury troubles.
The Belgian is likely to return to the squad following the international break, but Newsome believes he will not disrupt Rodon and Ampadu’s defensive connection.
He emphasized that Rodon and Ampadu have worked well together and that he sees no need to end their collaboration at this point in the season.
Speaking after the game, Newsome told BBC Radio Leeds: “Just before the game, we were talking about Pascal Struijk and how great it would be to have him fit and back in the squad.”
“I don’t see him breaking them apart.
“As a pair, they have been outstanding ever since the manager put Ampadu in at centre-back.”
Leeds are currently on a roll, therefore manager Daniel Farke may be hesitant to make changes to his team.
