Good Morning. It's Tuesday 19th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Surgery could see Struijk out out action for 3-4 months Pascal Struijk could be out of action for 3-4 months if the Leeds Skipper undergoes surgery on his troublesome groin injury. Struijk, 24, has been out of action since the 2-1 defeat at Deepdale on Boxing Day. He had been expected to at least have returned to first team training by now, but his condition has been hampered by a cartilage problem. Hip joint pain from a tear in the cartilage (or labrum) is a common cause of groin pain in footballers. Struijk has been undergoing injection therapy to try and get him through the season, but to no avail. Rob Price, Leeds Head of Medicine and Performance, and first team Doctor Rishi Dhand have discussed the matter with specialists, and will make a decision shortly. At least if he had surgery now, he should be fit for the start of next season! please log in to view this image International break comes at wrong time for Leeds Out of the top contenders in the Championship, Daniel Farke will be the least happiest Manager with the timing of the latest International break; according to Elland Road journalist Phil Hay. Discussing the matter on the 'Square Ball' podcast, Hay insisted that Farke wouldn't choose to take a breather at the moment as he wouldn't want to break the teams momentum and impetus, and secondly, they don't need a rest! Sixteen players (not including Rutter) from the Leeds roster have been called up for International Duty. Not only does this make life difficult for Farke's training sessions, and preparations for forthcoming games, as well as risking injury whilst representing their Countries. To make matters worse, Junior Firpo does not return home until the day of the Watford game, which makes it highly unlikely he will play! “Leeds have the momentum and the impetus. "Farke is probably the one of the three managers at the top who is the least happy about this break coming around. I think he can see the value of having a breather and I think it will be good for Leeds to be able to draw breath, but you don’t genuinely choose to take a bit of rest bite when you don’t need it, which Leeds don’t at the moment. “I think the reason why it’s not the big help that it could be is because a lot of players will be away and a lot of players will play during it. He won’t get much in the way of full training sessions with the squad. I don’t think it handicaps Leeds massively that they won’t necessarily be able to do a huge amount of preparation for Watford away, but as Farke said, it’s likely Firpo will miss that game. “He’s going to be away with the Dominican Republic and I don’t think he’s due back until that Friday, certainly that’s what Farke was saying. That means a change to that position in the team and, whether you rate Firpo or want him at left-back or whatever else, the results speak for themselves. The team as it is at the moment is really settled and is going along nicely.” please log in to view this image Rutter to undergo Hernia Op Georginio Rutter will under laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery in the next day or so to rid him of a hernia problem which has been troubling him for some weeks. The procedure is non invasive in so much that it doesn't penetrate the abdominal wall, meaning a much quicker recovery time. The club intend on using the International break to good effect, and get the French U21 International treated, and back to tip top condition ahead of the final push. Recovery time can be as quick as 10 days, so there's hope he'll be fit for the trip to Watford on the 29th. please log in to view this image
Good morning everyone And still feeling good after Super Sunday. Amazing we haven't really missed Struijk, just goes to show we at last, now have a bit of strength in depth. Don't know where we would put him now when he is fully fit, as some great partnerships have been formed, and we now look very solid at the back, and the midfield looking very good, great problem to have though.
Apparently gruev was nominated for Bulgarian footballer of the year....and came second behind the captain.... he's turned into a very, very good capture after a slow start
Morning all We have looked better with Ampadu in defence, I don't feel we have missed Struijk and stats would surely back that up. International break - I would say it would benefit us, Rutter out for 10 days with a minor op, Southampton needing to fit two extra games into a tight schedule, of course it all depends if any of the top teams lose any players injured whilst on duty.
That was the worst support I've seen from millwall. The result only mattered, but we never really looked like conceding. Wont be back till our promotion match against the saints.
Disappointed not to get an invite. Next time you're thinking of going Eire, don't you forget about me
Is no-one concerned about Rutter's op? Struijk was the last to get a 'minor op', and we all know how that's gone. I think we're in dead trouble if he somehow doesn't appear for us again this season. I don't believe that it's a coincidence that we've gone on an unassailable run since Bamford came back, to a certain extent, but more importantly, Rutter dropping back. (Attack-wise, btw, I'm well aware of the current CB pairing). Thoughts?
Farke has said it’s minor and rutter should be ok for next game. At worst he’ll miss one according to Farke
