Leeds have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of Friday’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest, as Anton Stach has been ruled out with a hip problem.
Leeds Dealt Anton Stach Injury Blow
Daniel Farke faces a major personnel headache ahead of Nottingham Forest’s visit in the Premier League on Friday, with key midfielder Anton Stach now ruled out with a hip injury.
Stach has starred for the Whites since his arrival from Hoffenheim in the summer, having registered three goals and three assists in 21 English top-flight outings this term.
His contributions have helped Leeds go six points clear of the dreaded relegation zone.
They are now unfavoured in the Premier League relegation odds market, priced at 5/1.
The German’s absence could have a negative knock-on effect for the West Yorkshire club, with Farke suggesting that the key midfielder will miss their clashes against Forest and Chelsea.
“Stach is struggling with some hip problems after the last game day and is likely to miss the game on Friday and the Chelsea game,” Farke said in his pre-match press conference.
“Not good news with him, he’s an important player for us. It’s probably a situation of being out for 10 to 14 days. Pretty likely he’ll miss the game on Friday.”
Leeds and Forest are currently level on 26 points in the table, however the Whites are one position ahead of the Reds on goal difference due to their more favourable goals scored figure.
Defeat on Friday would come as a major blow, so Stach’s absence cannot be understated.
If they do end up on the losing side, it will likely see Farke become more favoured in the Premier League sack race odds market. He is currently priced at 16/1 to be dismissed by the club.
Marcelo Bielsa is favoured as his replacement in the next Leeds manager odds market.
Jaka Bijol and James Justin Back in Training
In more positive news, Jaka Bijol and James Justin are both back in first-team training.
Bijol has been out with a hamstring issue for the last three games, while Justin picked up a toe injury and was forced to come off during last weekend’s 4-0 defeat by Arsenal at Elland Road.
Farke also confirmed that Wales international Daniel James, who has spent a large chunk of the campaign sidelined with a hamstring setback, is making progress, but Lukas Nmecha is out.
He said: “Jaka Bijol back in team training today. Good news. We have to wait on how his body reacts. James Justin had just a bruise and is back in team training.
“Daniel James is making progress. Lukas Nmecha not in team training yet, it’s probably unlikely he will be back for this game but not too far away.”
