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Leeds United face a quick return to action with Tuesday night’s visit of Sunderland - for which fresh blows have left six men out and three others doubtful but with two more now back.
The Whites and Black Cats were promoted together from last season’s Championship but in very different circumstances, Leeds going up as champions and Sunderland breaking Sheffield United’s hearts with victory in a dramatic play-off final.
Sunderland were then among the favourites for relegation but the Black Cats enjoyed a storming start to life back in the Premier League, battling it out in the higher echelons of the table.
The team have, though, been gradually sliding down the table although Sunderland remain six points ahead of Leeds in 13th place. The Black Cats took a 1-1 draw from Saturday’s clash at Bournemouth despite a raft of injuries.
Leeds, meanwhile, suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City in which Daniel Farke’s also suffered a fresh injury blow at a time when another star was already out.
Here, we run through the early injury news from both camps.
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7. OUT: Noah Okafor
Whites winger Okafor was thought to be facing two to four weeks out with the hamstring injury suffered in last month's FA Cup clash at Birmingham City. The 25-year-old had already been ruled out of Saturday's visit of Manchester City and Farke confirmed on Monday that the Swiss attacker remains sidelined. | Getty Images
8. DOUBT: James Justin
A fresh Leeds blow and a fresh doubt, Farke revealing at Monday's pre-match press conference that Justin needed stitches after a blow in Saturday's defeat to City. Farke, though, is hoping that the versatile defender will be available to face the Black Cats. | Getty Images
9. DOUBT: Ahmed Abdullahi
Sunderland forward Abdullahi made his goalscoring return in the club's under-21s last week but was reportedly not yet being considered for first-team selection. | Getty Images
10. EXPECTED BACK: Joe Rodon
Warrior Whites defender Rodon was taken off with three minutes left of Saturday's visit of Manchester City and assistant boss Eddie Riemer said post match that the defender looked to have suffered a hamstring injury which would need to be checked. Farke, though, revealed the hugely relieving news at Monday's pre-match press conference that Rodon had been scanned and seemed to be okay. Expected to be back to face the Black Cats although naturally a small element of doubt. | AFP via Getty Images
11. BACK: Granit Xhaka
Black Cats captain and talisman midfielder Xhaka had been out with an ankle injury but started his first game since returning in the weekend's draw at Bournemouth. A massive boost for them having such a key man back. | AFP via Getty Images
12. BACK: Bertrand Traore
Sunderland's Burkina Faso international forward Traore returned to training last week following a knee injury and made the bench for Saturday's clash at Bournemouth in which he was brought on with 21 minutes left. | Steve Welsh/PA Wire