Leeds United teen considered as midfield cover with three ruled out for West Ham | OneFootball

Leeds United face a central midfield shortage for Sunday’s Premier League finale at West Ham United, with Daniel Farke weighing up Under-21 cover. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, three players in that position are out.

Ilia Gruev’s meniscus injury ended his season, then Anton Stach suffered a deep ankle cut requiring stitches in the win over Brighton. Sean Longstaff has since had minor hernia surgery. None will be available, and Noah Okafor and Gabi Gudmundsson are also sidelined.

Farke’s obvious solutions include captain Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Brenden Aaronson. He said others could operate a little deeper if required, naming Joel Piroe among them, and admitted it is a tricky balance because carrying seven or eight for two spots would inflate the squad. He added that youngsters could travel, with versatility within the group likely to be important.

Rhys Chadwick, 19, has been around the senior group under Farke and can fill the central role. He was an unused substitute against Brighton and is yet to make a league debut.

Alfie Cresswell, 18, the younger brother of former Leeds defender Charlie, was also an unused substitute in that match. For the Under-21s this season he has played in defensive and central midfield.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk