Leeds United summer signing injury latest as Farke keeps formation possibility alive ahead of Chelsea

Leeds United have welcomed a summer signing back into training ahead of the Chelsea game after he agonisingly missed out on minutes at Manchester City.

Sebastiaan Bornauw has not played a Premier League game yet since signing from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in the summer. Although he has had to contend with his place in the pecking order behind Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol, the Belgian has also had issues with injuries. The last time he was in a matchday squad was on October 18 at Burnley.

Last season the 26-year-old missed 18 games with injuries, having only sat out a pair apiece in the two campaigns prior. The start of his career was disrupted by back problems and surgery. According to Farke the defender had recovered from a torrid start to life at Leeds and was agonisingly close to his first top flight involvement at Manchester City on Sunday when he suffered a knock in training.

"Was very unlucky, had a good first one or two weeks, good personality and then missed all of pre-season," said Farke. "If you lose all the friendlies, especially as a new signing it's really difficult to come into the game. He was under strong consideration for the City game, I was thinking about starting a back three and having four centre-backs in the squad. It was very unlucky for him. He has trained a lot to be in his best possible shape, he was quite impressive and had a good chance to be involved for his first minutes on the pitch. He got a hit against his MCL and missed a few training sessions. Good news, he's back on the training pitch and if nothing major happens he's also a topic for the squad [against Chelsea]."

Farke also intimated after the 3-2 defeat at the Etihad that he was considering starting with a back three but Bornauw's absence meant he would not have a centre-back option on the bench. Despite the injury-hit start to his time at Elland Road, Bornauw remains an important signing in his manager's eyes.

"Individually for him a tough start but he has such a strong personality, he never complains about anything and he would prefer to play more," said Farke. "He's always professional, accepts his challenge and trains focused and this is how you have to act as a professional. He was a vice captain with Wolfsburg, pretty experienced on Bundesliga level with more than 100 games and he acts like this. Never thinks about himself, concentrates on preparing himself for when he gets a chance. I'm pretty sure when he gets a chance to be on the pitch he's prepared to grab it with both arms. This is how it works in professional football. Unlucky for him but he's still an important signing for us."

Regardless of Bornauw's availability, Farke insists he would not entirely rule out starting with a back three if he did not have an experienced centre-back on the bench.

"Everything is allowed and you could but of course it's beneficial that you have an option," he said. "It's not that often when a centre-back has to be substituted, they cover the lowest distance. But for the head it's exhausting. If you play three you have to shift a bit more and there's a bit more danger that you have to substitute someone. Without an expert on the bench it's a bit tricky. It's beneficial to have one centre-back there. I wouldn't rule it completely out because a full-back could play there but it's a bit tricky."