Leeds United have a mini centre-back crisis for this weekend against Oxford United, with Pascal Struijk and Max Wöber doubts, while Ethan Ampadu remains likely unable to complete 90 minutes, which opens the door for James Debayo.
A return to West Yorkshire awaits Leeds after the frustrating draw at Preston last time out, and with it comes a home fixture against Oxford United, yet to taste victory on their travels since promotion.
As Leeds prepare for the game, Daniel Farke has given an update on his squad from Thorp Arch, to which there’s another infuriating concentration of injury trouble in one particular position.
Leeds team news pre-Oxford: Struijk and Wöber doubts, Ampadu update
Farke’s pre-match press conference brought a worrying update on his centre-back options coming into this weekend, namely with Max Wöber and Pascal Struijk.
Wöber’s knee has suffered some swelling following his two appearances against Derby and Middlesbrough, where he was impressive throughout.
Meanwhile, Struijk has experienced tightness in his hamstrings and both are doubts for tomorrow, while Farke was keen to stress how Ethan Ampadu cannot be rushed back to starting regularly despite returning to the squad (via the YEP):
“Every day on the training pitch increases his chance of minutes. All decisions we take are in the sense of what is beneficial for the team’s success. Ethan is also experienced enough to know he can’t come straight back after being out for three months. He’s definitely not far away.“
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James Debayo opportunity opens up – if he doesn’t play, January exit surely looms
In the midst of a tense promotion race, there’s only so many times a teenager can be thrown in at the deep end for a start and it actually be a lower-risk decision.
This weekend looks like one of those instances, with Oxford (on paper) one of the more feeble opponents Leeds will welcome to Elland Road, without a win in nine games and level on away points with Plymouth Argyle this season – and we all know how that game panned out.
So with that, James Debayo must be thinking this Saturday is his chance to make a senior debut in the lineup with Struijk, Wöber and Ampadu all not at 100% fitness.
The 19-year-old has the physical frame to cope well with senior football, and the only way he’s going to get experience is through playing in games like this, and if he’s not called upon, you have to wonder what the future holds.
At least in the short term, Debayo must be already considering a loan away in January to get more playing time, and omission on Saturday would only cement that viewpoint.
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