Daniel Farke's hand could be forced into the transfer market as Leeds United look to bolster their defensive ranks following Pascal Struijk's injury.

The Dutchman has been key to the Whites' Championship campaign, which sees them a point ahead of Sheffield United at the top of the table. Struijk could face three weeks out of the side after damaging his hamstring but will have a rescan of the area to ensure the player's tendon is not damaged as this would likely mean months, not weeks, out.

Struijk suffered a groin problem last season and was initially expected back within a couple of weeks only to miss the remainder of the season. It might be this misfortune which prompts head coach Farke to dip into the transfer market to sign defensive cover for Struijk.

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Ethan Ampadu has stepped back into the centre of defence, alongside fellow Welshman Joe Rodon to sure up the backline in Struijk's absence. The pair did so to incredible effect last season and have so far earned two clean sheets from both games starting together.

Farke has hinted at what he might be looking for too, as he said: "We had Joe and Ethan, our Welsh wall, last season. It was a record in terms of clean sheets, our stability was really good. But we're lacking a bit of the physicality and street smarts of Ethan in midfield.

"We don't have a 100 per cent similar player to him in this area. On the other hand with Pascal Struijk, we are also still even a bit bigger and taller and stronger in terms of attacking and defending set pieces. But what should we do? If Pascal is not available we need to find some good solutions."

So, who might Farke look to sign as cover?

Andrew Omobamidele

Six-foot-two Andrew Omobamidele is yet to play a single minute of Nottingham Forest's impressive Premier League campaign this season. His sole appearance was in the Carabao Cup - this comes off the back of just 14 appearances in his first season at the City Ground after signing from Norwich City for a sizeable £11m fee in 2023.

It is believed Nuno Espírito Santo would be willing to part ways with the Republic of Ireland international for around £10 million. The centre-back is known to Daniel Farke from his time in the dugout at Carrow Road.

Omobamidele featured minimally in Norwich's Championship title-winning season of 2020/2021 and subsequent Premier League stint before making 34 appearances in the Canaries' 2022/2023 season which saw them return to the second-tier and finish midtable.

A move is feasible, given his lack of minutes in Nottingham, meaning United could swoop in for a cut-price deal.

Nico Elvedi

Leeds are also monitoring Swiss international defender Nico Elvedi to provide cover for the squad's only out-and-out first-team centre-backs Joe Rodon and Max Wober.

Again, Elvedi is a player known to Farke from their time together at Borussia Monchengladbach where the Swiss defender proved pivotal for the side. The Leeds boss thought so highly of the player from this stint in the Bundesliga that he hailed him as "one of the best central defenders in Europe" at the time.

The defender continues to be a stalwart for the German side, featuring in 12 of their 18 league outings - missing six through injuries.

However, German media outlet, Kicker, has reported Gladbach are in the market for a centre-back with FC Copenhagen's Kevin Diks linked to Borussia Park. Since this news broke it appears city rivals Borussia Dortmund have won the race for Diks with German transfer guru Florian Plettenberg stating the Yellow and Black side are set to sign the player on a free transfer in the summer.

Elvedi does have a £8.2 million release clause so Leeds could still get their man, if Daniel Farke so wished.

Bali Mumba

Plymouth Argyle's Bali Mumba hasn't played at CB this season but could offer valuable cover for the side's fullbacks as Farke looks to strengthen across the entire backline and as has previously been reported, Leeds like the player.

The versatile England u21 international has featured in every Championship game so far for the struggling Argyle side but has offered one of few bright lights at Home Park.

Mumba is valued at around £2.5 million so if Leeds were to add him to the club's squad it could prove to be at a fraction of the price of other defensive alternatives.