The nine Leeds United games Sean Longstaff could miss after injury blow revealed
Daniel Farke revealed a fresh injury blow for Leeds United’s Sean Longstaff ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City.
Leeds United could be without Sean Longstaff for their next nine Premier League games after manager Daniel Farke revealed the midfielder has picked up a calf injury.
Longstaff has been an ever-present in Leeds starting line-ups since August’s 0-0 draw against his former club Newcastle United, playing the full 90 minutes in seven of the last 10. The midfielder’s energy and experience have been hugely important to Farke, as have his corners which have twice set up Joe Rodon.
Leeds head to Manchester City on Saturday afternoon and as expected, will be without Anton Stach due to concussion after his awkward landing last weekend. But Farke also confirmed an injury for his other midfield summer arrival, with Longstaff’s absence potentially keeping him out for the remainder of this year.
“Sadly Sean Longstaff will also miss the game, he's out with a calf injury,” Farke said ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Etihad. “He suffered this in the last game, it's not good news, four to six weeks. We'll miss him for a while.
“Right now, it's a chance for other players and they have my backing... We have to add quality, and I’m confident we can even without Sean or Anton. Others will get the chance and I will back them. I’m sure they will deliver a good performance.”
Longstaff’s injury has come at the worst possible time for Leeds, and not just because they will also be without Stach. The Whites have three massive games over the next eight days against City, Chelsea and Liverpool, all of which the £12m summer arrival will miss.
Which Leeds United games will Sean Longstaff miss?
In the best case scenario, a four-week absence would see Longstaff return to fitness around Christmas and potentially be available for Sunderland away on December 28. He would therefore miss five games in total, adding Brentford away and Crystal Palace at home to the upcoming three fixtures.
A six-week absence would see Longstaff remain sidelined for the traditionally busy festive schedule which includes yet more huge games. After Sunderland on Sunday December 28, Leeds head to Liverpool the following Thursday before hosting Manchester United on Sunday January 4.
The Whites then have another midweek away-day, this time at Newcastle on Wednesday December 7. That will be around six weeks from today but after such a lengthy absence, it would be difficult for Longstaff to return for such an intense game.
The weekend after Newcastle has been reserved for the FA Cup third round, meaning Longstaff might have to wait until Fulham at home on January 17 to play Premier League football again. In that scenario, the nine games he could miss are as follows: Manchester City (A), Chelsea (H), Liverpool (H), Brentford (A), Crystal Palace (H), Sunderland (A), Liverpool (A), Manchester United (H), Newcastle United (A).
With Stach and Longstaff both unavailable this weekend, Farke will have a weaker midfield than he did in the Championship. The fit trio of Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev were all at Elland Road last season, only this time there isn’t Joe Rothwell whose loan from Bournemouth ended.