Leeds United have suffered a significant injury blow with Pascal Struijk ruled out for the next three weeks with a hamstring injury, but with fears the outcome could be worse with a potential three month absence a minor threat. Struijk was yesterday sent for a scan after complaining of feeling some pain in his hamstring while training at Thorp Arch.

Results of that scan have shown some muscle damage that will rule the defender out for the next three weeks at least. Leeds will now wait for the injury to settle down before sending the 25-year-old for another scan next week, with a small fear that could show tendon damage which would result in a long absence and a return only for the final weeks of the campaign.

There is a hope the worst case scenario is only a very minor threat at this stage, with Leeds boss Daniel Farke hoping to have his key defender back in a matter of weeks, not months. There was some good news on the injury front, with Joel Piroe back in full training after missing the FA Cup game.

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"It was beneficial to have a few days after the FA Cup. To have a few days between the games was beneficial. Patrick is making some progression with his rehab, but will of course miss out on January as we have previously spoken about," explained Farke while providing an injury update.

"Joel is back in team training and is fully fit and available. All the players came through last week alright as well. One bad news is Pascal Struijk, who yesterday had some awareness of his hamstring. Out of precaution we had a scan and he has a muscle injury, so will miss the next few weeks.

"He'll not be involved in the games in January and also in early February so he is out for a few weeks. There is a small chance the tendon of the muscle is involved but at the minute it is too hard to judge and we will rescan him in the middle of next week. If the tendon is involved it will be a significantly longer rehab and it won't be three weeks, it will be three months. We are carefully optimistic. It was a big negative surprise for all of us."