The Whites play three games in seven days.
According to Daniel Farke, one Leeds United player sustained an uncommon injury and was unable to board the team coach this week.
Chelsea 3-2 Leeds
On Wednesday evening, the Whites suffered their first defeat of 2024, losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup. It was a performance to be proud of, with adolescents Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph flourishing in a new lineup.
Joseph scored twice, and Gray was named Player of the Match after playing in his preferred midfield spot, as the club’s focus shifts to the Championship, with games coming thick and fast over the next seven days.
Leeds and Farke face Huddersfield Town next, followed by home games against Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday, but there appear to be some new injury concerns in the squad, as well as long-term absentees Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas.
Leeds Injury News
There were some noticeable absences from the defeat at Stamford Bridge, including first-team regulars Georginio Rutter and Ilia Gruev, who were both nursing minor injuries. Joe Gelhardt, another player who did not make the squad, appears to have been hurt as well.
Farke stated in his post-match press conference, as related by Leeds Live, that Gelhardt experienced a back spasm in training, which occurs only ‘once or twice a year’.
“I had plans till yesterday. He had a back spasm during training and was unable to climb onto the coach; this happens once or twice a year and keeps him out for two or three days.
“He trained today but was unable to walk when we traveled. Saturday’s early kickoff puts us back in the early hours. The odds are against us, but we proved tonight that we can overcome them.”
This season, the 21-year-old has made 11 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, bringing his total to 52. However, most of his appearances have come from the bench.
Gelhardt has had success in Yorkshire, with his best performance in a Leeds shirt coming in the Premier League in 2022, when he scored a late winner against Norwich City. Jamie Carragher praised him as a result, saying: “He gets the flick on first and is excellent up against the big defender. He maintains his composure and does not panic. Yes, it’s an open goal, and you could think it’s simple, but at that point in the game, the ball is flashing over you.
“And he is a very special skill. He’ll be known now for this great goal, but I can guarantee you that he is a lad we’ll be talking about a lot in a few years’ time.
If Gelhardt, who has also been complimented by Farke, misses out again on Saturday, Joseph may be pushed higher up the pecking order, especially following his brace against the Blues.
