Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has provided an update on three key first-team players—Joe Rodon, Daniel James, and Joel Piroe—who are all carrying minor injuries ahead of their Championship clash with Watford on Tuesday. The trio missed Leeds’ 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Millwall at Elland Road on Saturday, with Farke opting not to risk them as the club prioritizes the push for promotion.
Injury Concerns for Leeds’ Key Trio
Rodon and James were both left out of the squad entirely, while Piroe was limited to a brief 10-minute cameo towards the end of the game. Speaking after the loss, Farke explained that all three had picked up “knocks” at some point during the past week, either in the midweek league victory over Coventry City or in training. However, the German manager remains optimistic that they will recover in time for the upcoming trip to Vicarage Road.
“Joe Rodon and Daniel James had knocks and weren’t fully recovered, so there was no sense in risking them today,” Farke told journalist Beren Cross after the Millwall match. “Joel Piroe also had a few knocks, and we didn’t want to take any chances with him either. We hope to have them back for Tuesday.”
While Farke has not provided specific details on the nature of their injuries, his comments suggest that none of the issues are long-term. Nevertheless, their absence against Millwall was felt, as a heavily rotated Leeds side struggled to create meaningful attacking opportunities and ultimately exited the FA Cup with a disappointing performance.
Potential Impact on the Watford Game
Leeds United are currently in a strong position in the Championship and are looking to extend their winning streak to three games when they face Watford. However, missing Rodon, James, and Piroe could present a significant challenge.
Rodon has been a rock in the heart of Leeds’ defence this season, forming a solid partnership with Ethan Ampadu. If he is unavailable, Farke will likely turn to Pascal Struijk or Liam Cooper to partner Ampadu at centre-back. While both are experienced options, Rodon’s presence and composure in defence have been vital for Leeds in recent weeks, making his potential absence a concern.
James, meanwhile, has been a key attacking outlet, using his blistering pace to stretch defences and create chances. His absence would force Farke to rely more heavily on other wingers like Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville. Gnonto had a particularly tough outing against Millwall, making a costly mistake that led to the opposition’s opening goal. With Leeds needing to be clinical against a solid Watford side, James’ availability would be a major boost.
Up front, Piroe has been an integral part of Leeds’ attacking setup, and while he was fit enough to make a brief appearance against Millwall, his fitness will be closely monitored ahead of Tuesday’s game. His absence would likely see Mateo Joseph deputize again. However, the young striker struggled to make an impact against Millwall, highlighting the gap in quality between Piroe and his understudy at this stage of the season.
Other Injury Concerns
Beyond Rodon, James, and Piroe, Farke also has other fitness concerns to manage. Midfielder Brenden Aaronson is dealing with an ankle problem, and his availability for the Watford game remains uncertain. Additionally, forward Manor Solomon is recovering from a hamstring issue and is currently rated as 50-50 for inclusion in the squad.
With Leeds aiming to maintain their momentum in the race for automatic promotion, Farke will be hoping for positive updates on all his injured players before Tuesday. Their presence would significantly enhance the team’s chances of securing another crucial three points in the push to return to the Premier League.
The Bigger Picture for Leeds
Leeds United’s squad depth has been tested this season, and managing injuries effectively will be crucial in the final months of the campaign. While Farke made 10 changes for the FA Cup defeat to Millwall, his primary focus is on league success, and getting Rodon, James, and Piroe back fit for Tuesday will be his top priority.
A win against Watford would further solidify Leeds’ position in the Championship’s top spots, and with key players potentially returning, the club will be hopeful of securing another vital victory in their promotion charge.