Leeds United will be without many key players when they meet Hull City at Elland Road on Monday night, as injuries continue to plague the West Yorkshire club.
Friday night’s 2-2 draw at Watford saw manager Daniel Farke say he was happy to get through the game following his less-than-ideal pre-match preparations, and the situation is unlikely to change significantly before the 8pm duel under the lights.
Willy Gnonto (hamstring) and Connor Roberts (thigh) are both out for the next three weeks, joining Stuart Dallas and Pascal Struijk on the sidelines, while Ilia Gruev is questionable after missing the draw at Vicarage Road due to an ankle injury, and Georginio Rutter is expected to return from hernia surgery over the break.
“Gnonto will be out for at least three weeks with a hamstring issue,” the German revealed. “Perhaps early if he does well, but realistically it will be three weeks, possibly a few days longer. For Roberts, things were similar. Gruev may be able to return on Monday, but the swelling must be evaluated. Willy and Connor are out for Monday.”
Farke thinks that with only six players training during the international break, he would need to tread lightly over the weekend before facing Liam Rosenior’s City, who will be smarting from their 2-0 home loss to Stoke City.
“We could practice before tonight, but only with six players.” It will be challenging before Monday. Easter is wild. It won’t be much better, but we have some extra time before the game. On Sunday, we’ll train at a low intensity to improve our game. It has to be done smartly. We’ll be pragmatic. I tried it tonight and did it.”
Rosenior’s City are likely to be at full strength for the Yorkshire derby, with the exception of the injured Liam Delap and Jacob Greaves, who is serving the second of a two-game suspension for picking up ten yellow cards.
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