Leeds United now have Christmas week off ahead of a Sunday return to Premier League action at Sunderland - for which blows have left nine players out and three more as doubts.
Leeds and Sunderland both played their final games before Christmas on Saturday, the Black Cats taking in the long trip to Brighton and leaving with a point after a goalless draw.
With the Africa Cup of Nations getting underway, the point was all the more commendable given a raft of absentees which will also be the case for Sunday afternoon’s visit of Leeds to the Stadium of Light.
Leeds themselves though, fresh from Saturday’s brilliant 4-1 win at home to Crystal Palace, also have key men missing, all leading to a combined total of nine players being out and three more doubtful for Sunday’s 2pm kick-off between the Black Cats and Whites.
Here, we run through the early injury and team news from both camps which includes another player now being back.
13. BACK: Leo Hjelde
Sunderland's former Whites defender Hjelde had surgery on an Achilles issue over the summer but made the bench for the first time this season in Saturday's Premier League clash at Brighton. The 22-year-old was an unused substitute but is seemingly now back in the mix. | Getty Images