Leeds United will be missing a vital player when Sunderland visits Elland Road next month. The Black Cats will travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday, April 9, following a demanding Easter schedule, with high aspirations of completing the double over the Whites, having defeated Daniel Farke’s men at the Stadium of Light in December.
Both teams have three games remaining before the encounter, although Leeds’ Pascal Struijk has already been ruled out. The defender has been out with a groin injury and has not appeared in Farke’s lineup since Boxing Day.
There was hope that the Dutchman would be fit enough to return to action in time to play a role in Leeds’ final three games of the season as they pursue automatic promotion. However, Farke has announced that Struijk will not play again this season after undergoing surgery during the international break. As a result, Leeds will be without the captain who led them through the first half of the season against Sunderland.
“A decision was made,” Farke stated regarding Struijk’s condition. “He had his surgery last Monday; it was extensive and complicated, lasting more than two hours, and it went well. He began his initial steps in the rehabilitation procedure. He will miss the remainder of the season.
Struijk’s absence means Leeds will most certainly start the Sunderland game with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu at centre-back, as they have done since the turn of the year. However, the club has Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell healthy and ready to go in case Farke decides to rotate at the back.
Georginio Rutter has also undergone surgery in Leeds this month, but the Frenchman is expected to be back in time to face Sunderland. Mike Dodds’ side will face Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, and Bristol City in the Championship before traveling to Yorkshire.