Dan James is set to miss the Leeds United clash with QPR, coming as a huge blow to the side for their Championship promotion run-in.
The Whites are looking to seal an instant return to the Premier League, but require a mixture of their good form and some help elsewhere.
Leeds are battling Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton in the race for Championship promotion, with only two games left in the regulation season before the potential lottery of the play-offs.
Following a much-needed win over Middlesbrough, Daniel Farke will be taking his side to London in their penultimate clash of the campaign against QPR.
With Leeds suffering from injury concerns, the likes of Pascal Struijk and Connor Roberts are set to miss out on being part of the squad for Friday night.
Unfortunately for the travelling crowd, Dan James is also set to miss out on the clash in the capital, following an update from the club surrounding a fresh injury concern.
Dan James injury update
A statement from the club confirmed that Leeds boss Daniel Farke will be without James for the match against QPR due to a muscle tear he suffered late in the game against Middlesbrough.
The update from the official Leeds website reads: “Leeds United can confirm winger Dan James suffered a costal cartilage injury and an oblique abdominal muscle tear during Monday’s 4-3 Sky Bet Championship victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
“As a result, the 26-year-old will be unavailable for Friday’s trip to Loftus Road, where the Whites take on Queens Park Rangers.”
The injury impacts the ribs and the chest area, making it awkward to gain a full range of motion when twisting and turning.
A timeline for a return for the Welsh international is not currently set, so it remains to be seen whether he will be available to face Southampton on the final day of the season.
Who could replace James vs QPR?
So with the squad now confirmed to be one player short of the most recent clash, there are some decisions to be made surrounding replacements for James in the team.
So with that said, here’s a look at a few options available to the manager.
Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville
The obvious choice would be to stick with the same forward options that started in the win over Middlesbrough.
Crysencio Summerville scored a brace and has looked electric on the left, while Willy Gnonto offers a tangible threat on the right.
The duo have a combined 27 goals between them and may be able to add even more to that tally when making the trip to Loftus Road.
One concern that may stop this combination from playing together for this clash may be the quick turnaround in matches.
This is because a change to the schedule forced The Whites to play away at Middlesbrough on Monday before their trip to QPR on Friday.
Jaidon Anthony
Loan signing Jaidon Anthony hasn’t quite had the impact he would’ve pictured when making the move to Leeds from Bournemouth for the season.
With just two starts and one goal in the Championship this campaign, the 24-year-old could still have a say in proceedings for The Whites.
There have been glimpses of quality from the winger, who may finally have his chance to step up and be counted for the side against QPR.
Joel Piroe
Forward Joel Piroe is something of an enigma when it comes to his favoured position and the skillset he has at his disposal.
The 24-year-old is capable of playing as a centre-forward or as an attacking playmaker, but he is also more than comfortable playing on the flanks and cutting inside on his left foot, something he could offer to Leeds if he started on the right.
With the desire to break down a stubborn QPR defence, Piroe could add that deft touch in the final third to unlock the hosts on Friday.
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