Joe Rodon, Anton Stach unlikely to return for Leeds until May, Daniel Farke confirms
✨ AI Summary
🔊 جاري الاستماع
AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsPL PredictionsPSG Are On-Pitch Purists Ekitike StrugglesJoe Rodon, Anton Stach unlikely to return for Leeds until May, Daniel Farke confirmsRodon and Stach are both sidelined with ankle injuries Matt McNulty/Getty Images Share full articleLeeds United are likely to be without key starters Joe Rodon and Anton Stach until May, according to manager Daniel Farke. Defender Rodon, 28, and midfielder Stach, 27, each limped out of Sunday’s FA Cup win at West Ham United with ankle injuries, and Farke said any further minutes in April for the pair would be considered a bonus. Their absences mean Leeds could be without six players when they travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday. Winger Daniel James was already missing with an adductor strain, which will keep him out of Monday too. Centre-back Jaka Bijol, forward Noah Okafor and full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson have a chance of playing at Old Trafford, but if the game was on Friday, Farke says they would not be ready. “Anton Stach will definitely miss the game on Monday, (with an) ankle injury after the cup game,” he told reporters during Thursday’s press conference. “Also, Joe Rodon will miss the game on Monday. (It’s) also (an) ankle injury for him. “Daniel James will also miss the game. Sadly, (he suffered) an adductor strain in the session before the cup game (and) won’t be available. “A few more question marks. Jaka Bijol is currently struggling with a knock, he was not in team training yet during this week. Also, Noah Okafor, today, not in team training, is struggling with some back problems, (there is) also question mark behind his availability. “And Gabi Gudmundsson has made some progress. He came back with some light groin problems after the international games, but all three of them are doubts. “If you would play the game tomorrow, then all three wouldn’t be available. Thank God, the game is on Monday, so we have a bit more time. “I’m hopeful I have all three of them also ready for the game because we need our players ready and fit for this game.” The reality for Stach and Rodon is they are set to miss the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea at Wembley on April 26, if they follow the expected timelines on their ankle issues. Farke said May has to be the realistic expectation for their returns. “It’s difficult to say,” he said, when asked about Stach’s recovery. “(It’s) a ligament injury in the ankle, also the same for Joe Rodon. Normally, you would say it’s not realistic for both of them to be able to help us in April and we would just have them back in May. “Of course, our medical department is trying everything. It’s crunch time of the season. Of course you want to have, especially these players back as soon as possible. “We will try, step by step, also day by day, to improve the situation. If they would be able to feature at some point in April, it would be a bonus right now. At the moment, realistically, we have to say, probably, we’ll just see them back in May.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Beren Cross is a football writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. Before joining The Athletic, he reported on Leeds United for Leeds Live. He was born in Doncaster and grew up in Lincoln. Follow Beren on Twitter @Berencross



