Good Morning. It's Friday 4th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road....
Gruev out for at least six monthss
Ilia Gruev will undergo immediate surgery on his right knee, and will be out of action for six months. The Bulgarian International limped off after 20 minutes of the midweek draw at Carrow Road, in obvious discomfort. Investigations revealed a significant tear to his right meniscus. Results of the scans were held back until late Thursday, two days after the initial tests, to give the Thorp Arch medical team time to digest, and come up with a plan of action.
Meniscus surgery is a procedure to repair or remove a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber and helps stabilize the knee. The type of surgery recommended depends on the tear's severity, location, and pattern. Gruev won't be back until April.
Is a point enough tonight?
Ever since the 1973 FA Cup catastrophe, meetings between Leeds and Sunderland have been a little tasty, though this season will mean a lot more than just bragging rights! It has been estimated that Southampton's win over the Whites at Wembley last May would have netted the South Coast outfit £265m, with Leeds leaving with nothing! The Whites have not won promotion via the play-offs in six attempts, a record they hold over all the football league (92 clubs).
Having lost at home to Burnley, and settled for a draw at Norwich, is this a game Leeds need to win, or would a draw be sufficient. The Black Cats have won all four of their home games so far this season, and have yet to concede. We must take into account Daniel Farke's injury list too, and the fact Leeds only claimed a point from the Mackems last season (over both legs). Saying that, Farke's squad is still littered to multi-million pound talent when comparing how much each side has spend.
Trio could have important part to play
Fledgling trio Charlie Crew (18), James Debayo (19) and Sam Chambers (17 to weeks ago) could have an important part to play in Leeds bid for automatic promotion this season. Long term injuries to Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober and now Ilea Gruev has significantly weakened Daniel Farke's first XI. He's been forced to field the last of his recognisable senior personnel, and may yet have to gamble on the kids coming through the junior ranks.
It certainly did David O'Leary no harm! Untried at first team level, Paul Robinson, Jonathan Woodgate and Alan Smith grabbed their opportunities with both hands, ousting the old guard, and making the first team positions their own! We must remember Manor Solomon, Junior Firpo and Pascal Struijk don't have the best of injury records, and knowing Leeds luck, it may not be long before we're reliant on Daniel Farke's babes!
