James, Rodon & Bogle: Latest Leeds United injury news and expected return dates ahead of Fulham clash

Leeds United are back in Premier League action when they welcome Fulham to Elland Road this weekend, and will be hoping to take the opportunity to increase the gap between themselves and the relegation zone – but injury issues could make that more of a challenge.

Jayden Bogle and Daniel James are among the players nursing fitness problems heading into Saturday’s game, while there are also doubts over the fitness of centre-halves Joe Rodon and Sebastiaan Bornauw ahead of kick-off.

With the match fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Leeds injury news below, along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.

Will Jayden Bogle or Daniel James be fit to face Fulham?

Full-back Jayden Bogle hasn’t been involved since the New Year’s Day draw with Liverpool after sustaining a calf injury, and remains a doubt to face Fulham despite returning to team training last week.

Bogle ultimately missed last weekend’s match against his former club Derby County in the FA Cup with Daniel Farke telling the media that he wasn’t involved because it was seen as “risky” for him to play. With another week of rest and rehabilitation under his belt, however, he could be back on the bench to face Fulham.

It’s rather less likely that Leeds fans see winger Daniel James in action this weekend. The Welshman hasn’t played since the end of November thanks to a hamstring injury. The initial prognosis suggested that James would miss around eight weeks, and he appears to be on track to come back at the end of January – with Farke telling the media that he was expected back in training by next week. The 31 January showdown with league leaders Arsenal remains a realistic target.

Joe Rodon and Sebastiaan Bornauw’s status as Leeds face centre-back headache

Centre-back is a position which Leeds are widely expected to address in the January transfer window, with the move to a 3-5-2 formation putting significant strain on the club’s depth at the position – and that issue has been compounded by recent injuries to Joe Rodon and Sebastiaan Bornauw.

Rodon recently sustained an ankle injury which forced him to miss the draws against Liverpool and Manchester United, and while he played almost the entire match against Newcastle he was substituted late and was subsequently left out of the matchday squad to face Derby.

Speaking in his press conference prior to last weekend’s FA Cup tie, Farke said that Rodon had not endured a setback but was simply “tired,” and it appears that he was left out of the Derby squad purely to allow him the opportunity to rest. Rodon is expected to play against Fulham and may be available to start.

Bornauw, meanwhile, did play the first half against Derby but was withdrawn at half-time following what Farke believed to be an adductor injury. Leeds believe that it was a minor issue and the Dutchman will face further tests prior to the Fulham game. He is a doubt for the time being.

There is better news about the availability of two other recent injury victims, Sam Byram (back) and Sean Longstaff (calf), both of whom made late cameo appearances against Derby. The pair are expected to be fit enough to be further involved against Fulham if required.