Leeds United have two injury concerns at present but Pascal Struijk is on his way back to full fitness.

Manager Daniel Farke says the centre-back is in contention to make the squad on Saturday against Cardiff City having rejoined team training on Tuesday. Struijk has missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury but scans last week showed his tendon had not been impacted, shortening his recovery time.

However, with the 25-year-old such an important figure, and Ethan Ampadu complementing Joe Rodon well in the centre of defence, Farke might decide to stick with the pairing that has earned three straight clean sheets and not risk Struijk from the start on Saturday.

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The other centre-back option, Max Wober, has suffered a recurrence of his ongoing knee problems so is doubtful for the match while Patrick Bamford is set to miss the clash as he steps up his recovery from his own hamstring problem.

Speaking at Thorp Arch on Thursday, Farke insisted he was content with his striker options albeit noted the risk of having just one fit centre-forward should Mateo Joseph or Joel Piroe become unavailable.

Joseph has not scored since mid-October while top scorer Piroe, who has 10 goals, has netted just once in six matches. The Dutchman’s stagnating form has been a topic of conversation among supporters but Farke says it is important to instil confidence into his attackers, so e will still likely start against Cardiff.

In fact, the attacking four of Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, Daniel James and Manor Solomon may well keep their spots. The only two changes could come in midfield and at full-back.

Jayden Bogle has been in fine form and United need not disrupt his rhythm. On the other flank, Sam Byram has been sturdy as ever and played well against Burnley. However, Farke may deem this the right time to hand Junior Firpo his first start since returning from injury, having missed seven games over the festive season due to a foot problem.

Cardiff have taken just one point from four Championship games against the top four this season, scoring just once and conceding 11. The Bluebirds have picked up form recently, netting two or more goals in their last three matches and did defeat Sheffield United in the FA Cup. But with Leeds yet to concede at home since January 1, and Byram possibly needing a rest ahead of Coventry City in midweek, Farke may decide that this is his best chance to field Firpo in a league match in the coming weeks.

After next Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Millwall, Championship fixtures against Watford, Sunderland and Sheffield United await. There are only so many opportunities to start Firpo before then. The other alteration may see Joe Rothwell return to the fold. Leeds lacked creativity from midfield against Burnley, Rothwell being benched for the entire game with Ilia Gruev handed his first start since September post-knee injury.

The decision to play Gruev paid off but his defensive covering may not be as vitally needed against Cardiff, who will inevitably look to sit back. So it might be the Bournemouth loanee Rothwell who partners Ao Tanaka in the centre of the park.

Predicted Leeds United XI: Meslier; Bogle, Ampadu, Rodon, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe.