At Thorp Arch on Thursday evening, Daniel Farke spoke at length about the three transfer areas he could bolster in the final knockings of the transfer window, one of them being the striker role.

Patrick Bamford is out for another two weeks with a hamstring problem, leaving Leeds United with just two fit strikers at present. Joel Piroe is top scorer with 10 goals but back-up Mateo Joseph has not netted since October.

Since his last goal, he has played in every league game - mostly from the bench but also with a handful of starts - and featured for the full match against League Two outfit Harrogate Town in the FA Cup.

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The forward line is an area that Farke is open to improving in light of current numbers, with Joe Gelhardt - who had not played for the Whites since October 1 - now loaned out to Hull City. There is understandable fan attention being placed on a new striker, too, given the context.

However, out of the three positions identified by Farke as potential areas for reinforcement, a centre-forward is perhaps third-most vital given when Bamford is back United will have three centre-forwards to choose from. Second most-important is centre-back.

The club received good news with Pascal Struijk this week with scan results showing that his hamstring injury does not involve his tendon. Farke says he might be back in team training next week with the defender already doing individual drills.

However, the boss is mindful that Struijk was initially given a good diagnosis following his groin injury in December 2023 but ended up missing the rest of last season. And so, he is open to a new central defender.

“Of course, I am pretty pleased but not relieved yet… I know a bit about [Struijk’s] injury history and so it doesn’t mean we will fall asleep until the end of the transfer window.

“There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.”

With Ethan Ampadu able to partner Joe Rodon to create the “Welsh wall” in defence, Farke has a temporary solution there for now albeit said last week it is not his ideal scenario for the run-in. Max Wober and his knee problems are being carefully managed but the defender is now available again.

The more obvious hole in the squad is at number 10, the third position Farke is looking at in the transfer market. The manager underlined that he has been impressed with Brenden Aaronson in the role but conceded there is no back-up of his ilk in the squad.

“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group," said Farke. “Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us.

“But we don’t have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role but a bit different.”

Farke mentioned how Piroe can play as a “loose” striker in this role while some of his wingers can also play there and "interpretate" the role slightly differently. He previously outlined how Wilfried Gnonto can play there, despite not starting there all season.

Manor Solomon played in the role against Harrogate and did fine but his assist for the goal came from his natural left-wing position. In truth, none of Aaronson’s back up options sound convincing.

The American has begun the last 26 league matches and adopts a style of play that requires a lot of energy. United have been faced with the reality of potentially being without Aaronson twice in the last two games.

He firstly hobbled off against Sheffield Wednesday before he required treatment on his lower back during the win over Norwich City. Solomon sees his best position on the left, United lose so much when Piroe is not leading the line and Gnonto would be a risk in the role.

It is important that Aaronson does not bear the pressure of being United’s only real hope at No.10. Without him, United are a lot weaker, so it makes most sense to prioritise transfer focus on that area and safety-proof against any unavailability.

Farke reiterated that any new signing must have the right mindset, be affordable and attain the required quality. His summer signings earn him enough credit in the bank for supporters to trust him to make the right call - time is running thin, though.