Are Leeds too reliant on Jansson for success as injury sparks concern?

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Pontus Jansson came off for Leeds during the defeat to Millwall with a hamstring injury.

Thomas Christiansen, manager of Leeds United, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match against Nottingham Forest.

Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen has been quick to play down Pontus Jansson’s hamstring injury after the centre-back was forced off during the 1-0 Championship defeat to Millwall at the weekend.

Having already made all three substitutions, the Whites had to play with 10 men for the closing stages of their match at the New Den, which ended with Leeds losing their first game of the season.

Pontus Jansson of Leeds United.

With fellow central defenders Liam Cooper and Matthew Pennington also sidelined currently, the thought of losing Jansson as well is concerning.

“Liam is doing very well and with Pontus it’s nothing really important,” Christiansen was quoted by the Yorkshire Post.

“Matthew Pennington trained for the first time with the whole squad today so it’s positive.”

Everton defender Matthew Pennington celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match against Liverpool.

Neither Cooper or Jansson is expected to play in the Carabao Cup fixture with Burnley tonight (September 19), while Pennington could feature in his first game since the opening day having been out for more than a month with ankle ligament problems.

However, it could be that usual full-backs Luke Ayling or Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have to partner Conor Shaughnessy at the back, with the latter having only been drafted into the position as an emergency himself this term.

Essentially it raises some concerns about the reliance on Jansson, who when unavailable leaves Leeds lacking leadership and stability in defence. Cooper has done well alongside the Sweden international, but Pennington is still essentially an unknown entity with very little seen of the 22-year-old since his loan switch from Everton – where first team opportunities had been limited.

Up until Saturday’s (September 16) loss things had been going very well for the Yorkshire side and they still remain top of the table on goal difference, but without Jansson their promotion push could take a hit and that is a worrying thought that Christiansen needs to address.