Leeds United ‘warrior’ deemed fit to face Stoke City after injury concern

Leeds United ‘warrior’ deemed fit to face Stoke City after injury concern

Leeds United will be looking to continue their fine form with a win over Stoke City on Boxing Day.

The Potters are in dismal form and manager Narcis Pelach is under increasing pressure having failed to make a positive impact since his arrival. As such, the Whites will be confident of claiming another three points.

That confidence will have only increased after they dispatched of Oxford United on Saturday, and despite a concern over defensive favourite Joe Rodon, they look to have come through that game unscathed.

The Leeds United defender is never afraid to put his head where it hurts and it’s hardly a rarity to see him sporting some sort of bandage. He took another blow against the U’s, suffering a cut but playing through the rest of the 4-0 win. Thankfully, as confirmed by Daniel Farke on Monday, Rodon will indeed be ready to go against Stoke City.

“A little cut on his head, it seems he has too many edges on his head and quite often has a bloody face,” the Leeds United boss told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“He’s a warrior and he will be ready to go again. All the others seem to be alright, we have to assess them but no injuries have been reported. “For that I’m carefully optimistic it looks quite good.”

An ever-present at the back

Rodon has been a hugely dependable figure for Leeds United ever since signing on an initial loan last season. Fans and Farke alike were overjoyed to be able to bring him back permanently in the summer.

So far this season, the Welshman has started every Championship game for the Whites. In total, he’s missed just four minutes of action after playing 43 of 46 league games last season too.

Who could partner Rodon vs Stoke? Rodon was alongside Ethan Ampadu at centre-back against Oxford United with usual go-to partner Pascal Struijk left on the bench. Farke opted to lean on the side of caution as Struijk had been dealing with hamstring tightness.

It remains to be seen whether he will be deemed fit to play a part on Boxing Day but either way, Leeds United will have a great centre-back partnership.

Rodon and Ampadu starred alongside one another last season but with the latter still working his way back from injury and facing a fight for his midfield starting spot, it will be intriguing to see how Farke lines up when everyone is available and 100% fit