Daniel Farke’s Whites are now in the midst of a nine-day spell without a game following Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers in which Leeds blew a huge chance to jump back into the Championship’s automatic promotion places.
United’s next game, their third-last of the campaign, presents a trip to Middlesbrough which was moved to a Monday night kick-off due to coverage by Sky Sports. Boro did Leeds a favour at the weekend by holding key title rivals Ipswich Town to a 1-1 draw at Portman Road, but for which the damage of United’s defeat to Blackburn would have been worse. Boro also held Ipswich amid a stack of injuries and Leeds have their problems too. In total, eight players have already been ruled out of next Monday night’s Riverside showdown for which five more are doubtful and two more are back. Here, we run through the very early team news from both camps.
7. Tommy Smith (out)
Boro right-back Smith ruptured his Achilles' in October's win at home to Birmingham City and is another player whose season is over. Photo: Ashley Allen
8. Darragh Lenihan (out)
Yet another Boro player whose season is over, Lenihan having had surgery on an ankle injury. Photo: Stu Forster
9. Hayden Hackney (doubt)
Boro's star young midfielder Hackney has not played since the middle of February due to a (medial) knee injury. The 21-year-old returned to the bench for the 2-0 win at home to Swansea City at the start of the month as an unused substitute but he has not been part of the last two matchday squads. That raises obvious doubts. Speaking after last Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Hull City, Carrick said of Hackney: "He just needs that bit longer. But it's no big drama at all." Photo: George Wood
10. Josh Coburn (doubt)
Young Boro forward Coburn has had recent issues with a groin injury and has not made any of the last 14 matchday squads. Photo: Stu Forster
11. Paddy McNair (doubt)
Experienced Boro centre-back McNair returned from a back problem at the start of the year but then suffered a hamstring injury on international duty with Northern Ireland and has missed the last five matchday squads. Photo: Michael Steele
12. Dael Fry (doubt)
Boro centre-back Fry has now missed his side's last 13 games due to a pelvic issue. None of Fry, McNair or Coburn have been ruled out for the season but there are obvious doubts for the Leeds contest. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo