Leeds teen in frame for West Ham as Farke faces midfield issue with three out | OneFootball

Leeds United face a central midfield headache for Sunday’s Premier League finale at West Ham, with an Under 21s option under consideration, according to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.

Ilia Gruev’s meniscus injury has ended his season, then Anton Stach suffered a deep ankle cut requiring stitches during the win over Brighton. Sean Longstaff has since had a minor hernia operation, and none of the three will be available this weekend, alongside Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson.

Daniel Farke’s immediate options include captain Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Brenden Aaronson. He has also promoted 19-year-old Rhys Chadwick to the mix, the teenager having been an unused substitute against Brighton.

Farke said Ampadu and Tanaka have operated there and that young players can step into the central role. He added Chadwick is capable, Aaronson can drop slightly deeper although he is usually further forward, and Joel Piroe has also filled in deeper.

He described it as a tricky situation, noting you cannot carry seven or eight for two positions without unbalancing the squad. Young players could travel, he said, while senior options can cover different roles.

Eighteen-year-old Alfie Cresswell, younger brother of former Leeds defender Charlie, was also an unused substitute last weekend. For the Under 21s this season he has featured in defensive and central midfield.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk