Leeds United’s next Premier League clash sees the visit of Tottenham in just the seventh game of the Premier League season - but ten players are already out or doubtful for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.
For Leeds, the contest will mark a second a home game against a highflying side in the space of eight days following Saturday afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth for which Whites boss Daniel Farke had key men out.
But new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was without half a team for Saturday evening’s visit of Wolves which offered his side the chance to move second. In the end, Frank’s men needed a late Joao Palhinha equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw which has left Spurs fourth in the Premier League table ahead of the trip to the 11th-placed Whites.
Leeds now have a full week to prepare for Tottenham’s visit but Spurs face midweek action with Tuesday evening’s Champions League clash at Bodo/Glimt. Ahead of that contest, here, we run through the early injury news from both camps.
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1. OUT: Willy Gnonto
Whites winger Gnonto missed last weekend's draw against Bournemouth due to a calf injury which he is still recovering from. Farke hoped he would return to training this week but has not been the case. No need for surgery though says Farke who expects the Italian back next week. | Getty Images
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2. OUT: Lucas Perri (but back in training)
New Whites keeper Perri has now returned to training after recovering from a quad injury but the Brazilian won't feature until after the international break. | Getty Images
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3. OUT: Dan James
A new Whites blow and a big one although not as bad as some reports initially suggested. Wales international winger James has rolled his ankle and is facing four to six weeks out. | Nigel French/PA Wire
4. OUT: James Maddison
A huge miss for Tottenham and a long-term injury, Maddison on the long road back from an ACL rupture. The midfielder suffered the injury in pre-season and has since had surgery. The 28-year-old is expected to be back towards the end of the season. | Getty Images
5. OUT: Dejan Kulusevski
Another big Spurs absentee, midfield ace Kulusevski having had surgery on a knee injury which has kept him out since the end of last season. Boss Thomas Frank does not want to put a timescale on his return but admits "it's a longer one". Reports have suggested that the midfielder could be out until next year. | Getty Images
6. OUT: Radu Dragusin
Romanian international defender Dragusin is another Spurs player recovering from an ACL injury that has kept him out since February. | Getty Images