Leeds United are undoubtedly playing a risky game with their striker plans this January. The club expect to have a quiet transfer window and are taking an opportunistic approach to the market.

If there’s a deal to grab, they will act - but otherwise, Daniel Farke is more concerned about maintaining good squad morale ahead of the business end of the season. However, this weekend highlighted the glaring reality United could face if a few cogs become dislodged.

Patrick Bamford has not started a Championship game this season but his four-week absence left Farke with one less option to turn to when the injured Joel Piroe was told to rest.

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Mateo Joseph led the line in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Harrogate Town as a result, but lacked end product despite his continual running.

The Spaniard is still only 21 years old and has started just five games post-September but he has failed to score since October 18, having featured in every league game.

And with Joe Gelhardt on the brink of a loan switch to Hull City, Farke will now have fewer natural number nines to turn to should top scorer Piroe - who is the only player to have reached double figures so far - become unavailable.

Piroe could return to action this Sunday against Sheffield Wednesday with Farke describing his muscle issue as minor, having decided that including him against Harrogate was not worth the risk.

Without the Dutchman, United’s attacking options become significantly weaker, which is why the manager has not ruled out a move for a forward before deadline day. Clarifying his position on striker recruitment last week, Farke insisted he is “not in panic mode”.

However, he added: “But it is definitely a position we should be aware of with what happens in January right now.” Of course, the risk is not bringing anyone in before February 3 and Piroe getting sidelined later down the line.

As such, some supporters are viewing the club’s transfer stance as a disregard for safety-proofing. Bamford may return by the end of January but he has hardly played a pivotal role in Farke’s plans this season. The boss has hinted, though, that he has a wildcard striker option if needed.

Speaking about his striker options besides Bamford, Farke said: “We have got Joel Piroe Mateo Joseph, a few young prospects in our academy - and perhaps a player like Willy Gnonto can also play striker.”

Gnonto started as a centre-forward in Farke’s first match in charge in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City in August 2023. He played 82 minutes but failed to score. The Italian has not begun a game as the main forward since.

Gnonto was played as a supporting striker for many of his appearances at former club FC Zurich, having done so while coming through the academy ranks at Inter Milan and youth age groups with Italy. Rarely has he been fielded as the central forward in his career.

Farke elected against playing the 21-year-old as a number 10 - perhaps the next closest thing to a second striker - against Harrogate on Saturday with the starring Manor Solomon occupying the role.

In fact, Farke has not started Gnonto in that position at all at Leeds, instead keeping him on the flanks, from which all 13 of his goals under the German coach have come. So while he sees Gnonto as a potential central forward option, he is maybe a last resort should the worst scenario occur.