Boss Daniel Farke had 11 players injured for last Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie at home to Shrewsbury Town for which Liam Cooper, Crysencio Summerville, Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Mateo Joseph, Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo, Sam Greenwood and longer-term absentee Stuart Dallas were all sidelined.
Italian international teenager forward Gnonto also failed to make the matchday squad and Farke revealed in Wednesday night’s post-match press conference that the 19-year-old had been “unavailable” but was not injured. Leeds have since revealed that the forward insisted he could not play after being informed that he would not be sold this summer and the Italian also missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Birmingham City.
Luis Sinisterra was also missing at St Andrew’s and Farke revealed post-match that the Colombian international winger was also “unavailable.” But record signing Georginio Rutter returned from a recent core muscle injury as a second-half substitute at Birmingham. Harrison is now off United’s list completely having joined Everton. Here, we run through the latest state of play on the Whites injuries front and when each player is expected to return.
1. Patrick Bamford (hamstring)
Expected return date: September. What Farke has said: "Patrick Bamford has got a hamstring injury. He won’t return before the first international break so he will miss definitely the next games." Photo: OLI SCARFF
2. Sam Greenwood (unknown)
Expected return date: Possibly this weekend. What Farke has said: "At least some good and positive news with Greenwood (and also with Rutter). They joined in today (last Thursday) for the first time this week and also in parts of team training. Obviously for Sam, he was out for four weeks and has no chance to be involved for the game at the weekend." Photo: STEVE BARDENS
3. Junior Firpo (knee)
Expected return date: September. Summary: Leeds revealed last week that Firpo was still recovering from torn lateral ligaments in his knee and is expected to be out for at least four more weeks. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
4. Tyler Adams (hamstring)
Expected return date: September. What Farke has said: "He's still at least three weeks away from joining us in team training. He's in the final stages of his rehab, and is getting closer and closer. But like I said before, I don't expect him to be in the mix before the international break. He needs a few weeks to be back, and if some business happens behind the scenes, that's not my topic. I'll just comment when any business is done, and everything is done and sorted. No comments from my side." Photo: George Wood
5. Crysencio Summerville (groin)
Expected return date: September. Summary: Summerville picked up a groin strain against opening weekend visitors Cardiff, ruling the winger out for up to three weeks. Photo: Alex Caparros
6. Mateo Joseph (ankle)
Expected return date: September. What Farke has said: "He rolled his ankle on training and we feared a lot because he was on crutches. But it looks better right now than it was two days ago. He will definitely miss the next three to four weeks but it was a ligament damage. No surgery is needed but he will also definitely miss out the next games.” Photo: Naomi Baker