Leeds United suffered a late gut punch at the hands of Manchester City on Saturday, losing 3-2 after fighting back from 2-0 down. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha scored for the Whites but a spirited second-half performance counted for nothing in terms of points when Phil Foden won it late on for the home side.
The Whites were without Sean Longstaff on Saturday and could remain so until mid-January, with Farke revealing this week the midfielder faces four-to-six weeks out with a calf injury. The former Newcastle United man could miss up to nine Premier League games in total, having already become a crucial squad member.
Farke does have other options in midfield and will need to get the best out of them between now and the New Year, with no Longstaff to lean on. Below, the YEP looks at what the German’s strongest possible line-up could look like in the absence of his £12m summer signing.
7. CM: Anton Stach
Missed City on Saturday due to concussion but with Longstaff unavailable, his physicality will be much-needed alongside Ampadu. Would have more freedom to push on but defensive cover is a must too or Leeds would risk getting overrun. | Getty Images
8. CM: Ao Tanaka
Offers balance to the running power of a Stach and has a little more guile, for when defences need to be broken down. Would have the most positional freedom of the three, dropping into full-back areas in build-up and also pushing forward when Leeds have sustained possession. | Stu Forster/Getty Images
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9. LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
Dropped for Manchester City but remains one of Leeds' best performers so far this season. Like Bogle on the other side, he would benefit from a little more cover in behind, allowing him to push on with more freedom. | Getty Images
10. ST: Noah Okafor
Leeds signed Okafor to make a difference in attack and in behind a natural No.9, he could flourish. Would have the freedom to drift wide and link-up with wing-backs where necessary and the new role removes some of the defensive demand he has recently struggled with. | AFP via Getty Images
11. ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Showed off the bench at City exactly why he should be Leeds' main man upfront, and why a direct style of play is the most likely route to survival. Such a nuisance for opposition defenders and should be well-supported by Okafor, Bogle, Gudmundsson and Tanaka when bringing down long balls. Photo: Marc Atkins
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12. Sub: Karl Darlow
Proved a perfectly capable cover option during the weeks Perri was out injured. Might feel he deserves a proper shot at being first-choice. | Getty Images