Leeds United will finally resume their quest for Premier League survival with next Monday night’s trip to arch rivals Manchester United - for which fresh blows have left a host of players doubtful or out.
Michael Carrick’s Red Devils have not played since the Friday night before the international break when they were denied victory by Junior Kroupi’s penalty in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
It means Carrick’s side will have had a whopping 23 days without a game by the time Leeds head to Manchester for the 8pm kick-off at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Despite the long break, the Red Devils still have injuries to key players and indeed a suspension to deal with but there is no doubt that Leeds now have the bigger problems on the injuries front after Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham.
Victory at the London Stadium looks to have come at a cost and here we run through the early injury and team news from both camps which totals three out and seven doubts but with a Whites star expected back.
1. OUT: Anton Stach
One of two huge new blows and now just a case of when Stach will be back. The midfielder was injured by Max Kilman's follow through at West Ham and eventually hobbled off. Stach was later seen sporting a protective boot and using crutches and the German also shared a picture of the swelling on his ankle on his Instagram story. Speaking on Thursday, Farke confirmed that Stach had suffered an ankle ligament injury and that it was probably more realistic to expect him back in May as opposed to later this month. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
2. OUT: Joe Rodon
Rodon also suffered an ankle injury in the early stages of the second half at West Ham and was unable to continue. Like Stach, he has now been ruled out, Farke admitting it is probably realistic to be looking at a May return as opposed to April. Farke said of Stach and Rodon: "Normally you would say it was not realistic that they would be able to help us in April. Our medical department is trying everything, you want to have these players back as soon as possible. We will try step-by-step. If they were able to feature in April it would be a bonus, realistically we have to say we'll see them back in May." | Getty Images
3. OUT: Dan James
Wales international winger James was missing from the matchday squad at West Ham, news then emerging that the pacy attacker had an adductor strain and expected to be out for a couple of weeks. Farke said on Thursday: "Daniel James will also miss the game, he sadly had an adductor strain in the session before the game." | Getty Images
4. OUT: Harry Maguire (suspended)
A big absentee for the Red Devils, experienced England international centre-back Maguire now suspended having been sent off in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth before the international break. | Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
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5. DOUBT: Patrick Dorgu
Manchester United's Danish international winger Dorgu has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in January's 3-2 win at Arsenal although the 21-year-old was included as part of the Red Devils squad that travelled to Dublin for an intensive training camp this week. Dorgu, though, is still continuing his rehab and has been ruled out of Monday night’s visit of Leeds. | Getty Images
6. OUT: Matthijs de Ligt
Manchester United's Dutch international centre-back has not featured since November due to a back injury and he too remains on the comeback trail, the defender also ruled out of Monday's visit of Leeds. | Getty Images