Leeds United are going to be without Joe Rodon until potentially November after a hamstring injury was confirmed this week.

The transfer window has shut with Leeds plugging almost every gap in the squad since finishing 14th in the Premier League last term.

Daniel Farke would no doubt have liked more striker depth behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But now, there’s another issue with Joe Rodon’s confirmed injury.

Leeds United’s Joe Rodon ruled out for 8-10 weeks with “serious” hamstring injury

Rodon’s return to Elland Road against Brentford was cut short after around half an hour with hamstring trouble. Keeping pace with the equally-rapid Kevin Schade, Rodon’s clearance deep in Leeds’ half came at a price.

Farke has confirmed a “serious” hamstring problem for the Wales centre-back, which rules him out for eight to 10 weeks.

“Bad news, serious hamstring injury. He will be out for eight to 10 weeks. Definitely not playing before the next international break, A big blow for us because he’s a key player,” Farke told the press, per the YEP.

In terms of how Leeds cope with this two-month setback, James Justin was earmarked by Farke as the likely solution.

Justin has been utilised as United’s Swiss army knife in defence since joining from Leicester City. He has covered both wing-back positions and Rodon’s right-centre-back slot multiple times, to good effect too.

Leeds United could explore ideal free agent still available if 49ers panic over Joe Rodon

The arrivals of Nico Elvedi and Melvin Bard do provide plenty of relief in the wake of Rodon’s absence.

Elvedi has already shown his quality in two appearances, while Bard relieves Justin of being our only left-back cover, as well as being able to drop into the back three on the left if needs be.

However, if Farke and the 49ers are concerned over Rodon’s fitness beyond his return, there’s still room for a 25th man in United’s squad, in the form of a free agent.

There’s only one centre-back worth their salt amongst the list of players without a club: ex-Union Berlin man Diogo Leite.

The Portuguese defender left the club in the summer and was loosely linked with Elland Road, among other clubs particularly in the Middle East. Yet, he’s still unnattached and would be serviceable at Premier League level as a left-sided defender.

Of course, Rodon is right-footed and Leite wouldn’t directly replace him, but could offer relief if Leeds deem the 28-year-old’s absence too big a blow in our back three.

What’s most likely is Leeds shuffling Justin around to play on the right-side of our three, sharing that role with Elvedi, while Jaka Bijol props up the defence centrally.

Importantly, our draw with Brentford showed Farke still has the back four setup up his sleeve. Leeds could change formations in order to bulk up the midfield as opposed to the three-man defence.

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