Fears Leeds United would lose Pascal Struijk until April with a hamstring injury have been allayed.
A fresh scan of the 25-year-old defender’s problem has shown his tendon is not damaged and the vice-captain could even be in full training next week.
Last week, Struijk was ruled out of Sunday’s Sheffield Wednesday clash with manager Daniel Farke fearing the injury could eventually see him missing for three months. However, a rescan of the muscle, now it has settled, has provided a major boost for the Championship title contenders.
“The rescan was very good,” Farke said on Thursday. “The tendon is not involved in this injury. We can be a bit more progressive in his rehab. He’s already doing individual stuff outside.
“I hope I have him, in a few days, back in team training, perhaps at some point in the next week. It looks good [and] not like he will be out for 10 weeks, at least as it stands. Definitely some good news with Pascal.”
GO DEEPER
Has Struijk proven himself to be Leeds United’s most important player?
Ethan Ampadu had been standing in for Struijk alongside Joe Rodon in central defence, but this news will eventually mean Ampadu will return to midfield. Had Farke’s worst fears for Struijk been realised, Leeds would have likely moved for a centre-back in the transfer window.
As it is, they will feel emboldened by what they have at their disposal to get over the line in May. Farke did reiterate his intention to stay awake until the end of the window and move for those targets which tick the right boxes for the title contenders.
Leeds, currently top of the Championship, return to action on January 27 with an away league game against third-placed Burnley.
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