Leeds turn to Under-21s as three midfielders out for West Ham finale | OneFootball

Leeds United face a central midfield headache for Sunday’s Premier League finale at West Ham, and Daniel Farke has added an Under-21 option to his shortlist, according to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.

Ilia Gruev’s meniscus injury ended his campaign, then Anton Stach sustained a deep ankle cut that required stitches in the win over Brighton. Sean Longstaff has since undergone a minor hernia operation, and none of the three will be available. Leeds are also without Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson.

Farke’s immediate choices include captain Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Brenden Aaronson, with less familiar alternatives also under consideration. Nineteen-year-old Rhys Chadwick has been around the squad and was an unused substitute against Brighton, but he is yet to make a senior league appearance.

Farke said Ampadu and Tanaka can operate in the role and that youngsters could step in, with Chadwick among those who could feature. He noted Aaronson can drop slightly deeper, while Joel Piroe has also filled a deeper brief, though neither is in a prime position there. He added that carrying seven or eight players for two berths would unbalance the squad, so it is a tricky situation.

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

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk