Joe Rodon](player:joe-rodon) will miss eight to 10 weeks with a hamstring injury after going off in Leeds' 1-1 Premier League draw with Brentford. Daniel Farke said the defender was forced off after 34 minutes and will not play before the next international break.
Leeds' defensive reshuffle
Farke said the absence is a big blow because Rodon is a key player. He also said Leeds may need James Justin at centre-back while the injury runs its course, which is a reminder of how thin the margin is at the back.
Rodon had only two Premier League appearances and 124 minutes before the setback, so Leeds lose one of the more trusted pieces of their early-season defence. He had also started the league win at Nottingham Forest and the Carabao Cup victory over the same opposition.
Brighton and Newcastle next
The timing is awkward for Leeds, who go to Brighton on 5 September before Newcastle visit on 14 September. That leaves a narrow stretch for Farke to settle on a replacement plan, whether that is Justin moving inside or another answer from the squad.
Farke also said Rodon had signed a new four-year contract in August, which makes the injury harder to take for a club that had just locked one of its main defenders in. The next few weeks will tell Leeds whether they can cover the gap without losing shape.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
