Leeds United midfielder Anton Stach has opened up on his recent injury issues that have stopped him from being able to start under Daniel Farke.

Leeds’ drop-off in form outside of the win over West Ham has been alarming. Away to Nottingham Forest this weekend, Daniel Farke will have to turn his side’s fortunes around or face further speculation.

Looking at the individuals in his squad, getting key players back up to full fitness and peak form is vital. That includes summer signing Anton Stach.

Most Read on LeedsAllOver

Anton Stach remains benched as he battles through broken finger and broken rib

Stach put in a tremendous display in Leeds’ most recent away win at Wolves, scoring and assisting while controlling the middle of the park very well.

Since then, his form has dropped off significantly, to the point where he’s now working to get back into the starting lineup.

Leeds United’s Anton Stach has been playing with a broken finger and rib injury lately. (REUTERS/Scott Heppell)

What didn’t help him was a broken finger, as seen with his heavily bandaged hand (above) as well as a rib issue. Speaking to German media following the weekend, Stach has now revealed that he also broke a rib against Tottenham.

“After breaking my little finger, I also broke a rib against Tottenham. I initially tried to keep playing,” Stach told German outlet Kicker.

“But you definitely feel an injury like that. For me, it was mostly a mental thing, because I automatically held back in challenges. The coaching staff still wanted me on the bench to support the team.”

Now, after the international break and a month passing since that setback against Spurs in October, he’s looking to force his way back into Farke’s starting lineup.

“The break did me good, and I got better day by day,” Stach continued. “Now I need a few training sessions to get used to the intensity again; especially in midfield, you have a lot of challenges, and elbows can come in quickly.”

Anton Stach’s return to the Leeds United XI should be imminent – he’s needed after Brighton

Stach was understandably dropped. Even before he supposedly broke his rib against Spurs, he was struggling in that game and the one prior against Bournemouth.

That said, now that he’s had plenty of time to get over these two injuries, there’s no doubting that he should be starting.

Ao Tanaka struggled against Brighton (like Ethan Ampadu and Sean Longstaff). The game passed him by in my opinion, when Leeds could have done with his guile in possession. And, there’s scope for him coming out away to Nottingham Forest.

Stach working back to full fitness could be a huge boost for Farke. If he’s ready this week, there shouldn’t be a debate about him coming back in.

Read more: The wildcard formation change that could help save Daniel Farke at Leeds United…