Daniel Farke may have to alter his transfer plans if Pascal Struijk’s setback turns out to be more severe than first hoped.

The Leeds United defender will be absent for the next three weeks after initial checks turned out worse than expected. He might be sidelined for longer. Regardless, he is out of the side to face Sheffield Wednesday this weekend which forces Farke to change his ideal XI.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off, the Whites boss gave a fitness update on Joel Piroe and also explained the exit of Joe Gelhardt, who has joined Hull City on loan for the rest of the season. Here are the main takeaways from Friday’s press conference.

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Pascal problem

Farke has a decision to make. Struijk will be out for at least three weeks but could be out for up to three months if scans next week show the vice-captain has damaged his tendon.

The manager says he is cautiously optimistic that the centre-back has not done so and if that is the case, it seems he is unlikely to dip into the market for a replacement. The 48-year-old says he is conscious that any new signing might well take three weeks to settle in, by which time Struijk could be back.

If the Struijk is sidelined for a longer period of time, then there would be worry over his options in the role. Ethan Ampadu can play in the position but Farke has so often spoken about how much he values the captain as the number six.

Farke has admitted he will also need to manage the load of Max Wober with his ongoing knee concerns. If the Whites boss wishes to maintain the balance he wants in the side amid a possible long-term Struijk absence, then Leeds need to be drawing up options.

While it is a case of wait and see with Struijk’s injury, the hierarchy must draw up back up plans if the worst materialises.

Transfer talk

Farke says he has been in constant communication with the top brass over possible transfer opportunities. The German coach has repeatedly used the phrase of ‘staying awake’ to any transfer opportunities in attack but now the same applies in defence with Struijk sidelined.

Farke is in daily conversation with club chiefs about potential recruitment, and was scheduled to have an in-depth meeting after the press conference having already had a lengthy one on Thursday.

Club chief executive officer Angus Kinnear was due to speak to Farke later on about the window while the manager held a phone call with chairman Paraag Marathe this week where short-term and long-term objectives were discussed.

So the club remains active, if not yet productive regarding incomings. Farke also confirmed Joe Gelhardt has asked to go out on loan, which the club granted him in part due to his “professional behaviour”

Piroe available

Joel Piroe was left out of the win over Harrogate more as a precaution than out of any serious worry. The striker had picked up muscle complaints in the build-up so, with Patrick Bamford out until the end of the month, Piroe was rested.

There has been debate over the strength of the squad’s centre-forward options with Bamford out, Gelhardt loaned and Mateo Joseph yet to score since October. Allaying fear for now, United top scorer Piroe is set to return against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday as he looks to build on his 10 goals this season.

"Joel is back in team training and is fully fit and available,” Farke said at Thorp Arch on Friday. “All the players [aside from Bamford and Struijk] came through last week alright as well.”

Number 10 admission

Brenden Aaronson, unsurprisingly, will remain as Farke’s primary choice at number 10 albeit less clear is who is the manager’s go-to back up. The boss was happy with Manor Solomon’s performance in the role against Harrogate but curtailed going overboard in his praise given the strength of opposition.

“I wouldn’t over-interpret Manor's there,” Farke said. “We know he can play there. He has played a lot for his country in this position. But he would interpret this role slightly different to what we have had before with Brenden.

“[Solomon] is an option there but also Willy Gnonto was also one or two times involved there. So we have a few players who are not a typical number 10 but who can do a job.

"The best choice, with respect to all the others, if Brenden stays fit… he is doing a really fantastic job at the moment.”

Farke refused to rule out strengthening this transfer window the area but pointed to Solomon, Gnonto and Piroe - as a false nine - as the options he has at his disposal at number 10.