Daniel Farke has provided a new injury update on his squad ahead of Leeds United’s trip to Coventry City this weekend.
Leeds were without a number of key players during the Easter period having lost three to injury while they were away on international duty with their respective countries.
On top of the long-term absentees Stuart Dallas and Pascal Struijk, Ilia Gruev, Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts were all missing for Leeds’ last two matches.
Despite the four-day recovery period between Monday’s match with Hull City, and Saturday’s clash at Coventry, there hasn’t really been any improvement on the injury front this week.
Farke has refused to rule out Gruev from returning but says he is still yet to take part in training, while both Roberts and Gnonto continue to be earmarked for the trip to Middlesbrough later this month.
Farke says 24-year-old who played for Leeds on Monday is now going to be out for two weeks
And if Gruev is not fit enough to comeback, Leeds are actually going to be another body down from the squad that faced the Tigers earlier this week.
Sam Byram had been unable to sprint in the second half on Monday but thankfully, has not done any lasting damage after a solid display up against dangerman Jaden Philogene.
However, his stoppage time replacement from the bench Jamie Shackleton actually ended up reporting an injury in the 24 hours after the game.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke says Shackleton is now going to be out for at least the next two weeks due to ‘some problems with his adductors’.
He said: “We are still struggling with a few injury problems. All the players in the squad for the last game are available for Coventry with one exception – Jamie Shackleton. Some problems with his adductors. Out for about two weeks at least.
“Gnonto and Roberts they are muscle strains, they are out three weeks. They’ve only been out 9-10 days so they’re edging closer, I’m hoping they’re back a bit earlier for the Middlesbrough game.”
Shackleton has endured nightmare season for Leeds on injury front
Monday’s cameo off the bench may well have been the last time Shackleton will ever play for Leeds with his injury looking likely to keep him out until at least the penultimate game of the season.
The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and so far, there has been no indication that he will be offered a new one.
What’s more, by the point of his return, it is likely that both Gruev and Roberts will be back fit, which will mean his chances of actually getting onto the field are minimal.
Unfortunately for Shackleton, it has been an absolute nightmare of a season on the injury front. Having actually started the season well and firmly in Farke’s plans, he just hasn’t been able to stay fit since November, which is a massive shame for him.