A fresh injury blow to a key Leeds United player was just about avoided over the weekend. During his warm-up at Ewood Park, Joe Rodon complained to medical staff about pain in his back.

The 27-year-old was not feeling good as he prepared for the game and so the coaches put plans in place to ensure Leeds were covered if he was not ready to start. James Debayo and Max Wober had been warming up with the substitutes, but were pushed in with the starters before they finished.

Each of them are natural in central defence and could have been used alongside Pascal Struijk if required. However, medical staff, heavily praised by Daniel Farke, were able to not only get Rodon ready to start, but to finish the 90 minutes too.

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“Joe Rodon was complaining about some back problems during the warm-up,” he said. “Thank God, our medical department, our physios, who are on the top level, were able to treat him.

“So he was then capable to get rid of these problems pretty quick and to start the game and to play the full 90 minutes, but, just in case it would be a major problem, Max and also James Debayo, who are also capable to play these two positions were then preparing.”

Rodon is the only player to have started every match in all competitions this season. Illan Meslier and Struijk can match his league tally, but each missed the Middlesbrough drubbing in the EFL Cup.

The 27-year-old has come through the last nine matches without picking up a caution. Rodon has been on four since October 4, knowing a fifth would rule him out for one game through suspension.