Although Djed Spence, a loanee from Leeds United, is expected to miss “several weeks” due to injury, surgery is not expected to be necessary, according to Daniel Farke.
According to Leeds Live’s Beren Cross, the Whites manager stated following the team’s 3-0 victory at Millwall on September 17 that it was “sad news” that the right-back on loan from Tottenham had “done his lateral ligament” and would be sidelined for an extended amount of time.
Prior to Farke’s announcement that Spence was a “major doubt” at his pre-game press conference on September 15 about a problem he encountered in training, Spence would have been set to make his debut at The Den on Sunday.
Luke Ayling will now continue in the starting lineup as it now seems like it will be some time before he is seen wearing a Leeds United shirt again.
Blow
Although Spence won’t need surgery, it is still a huge setback for the Englishman and his boss as he joined from Spurs just before the transfer window closed.
Ayling will need to maintain his fitness and form because the squad may be short next summer after letting Cody Drameh depart on loan to Birmingham City and needing Sam Byram over on the left.
Jamie Shackleton can likely step in as well, as he can in most positions, but it is disappointing that Spence will miss a number of games after paying a loan fee to sign with the team based on his outstanding performances for Nottingham Forest two seasons ago.
Prior to the international break, Spence made an impact in his brief appearance off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday. Had he played longer, he would have been in line for additional opportunities sooner rather than later.
But with the ongoing injury concerns at Elland Road for one of the newest players, it is certain that will now be later.
After a turbulent summer, the Millwall result was a significant declaration of intent, but the Spence news may make Farke’s joy a little less intense.
