Leeds United striker Chris Wood could face a short spell on the sidelines.
Leeds United suffered a potential blow last night when striker Chris Wood was withdrawn after half an hour into the match with Reading due to a hamstring injury.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates
The full extent of the problem will become clear later this week, and while Leeds cannot sign another striker until January, they have options at their disposal to replace the New Zealand ace, who is currently their top scorer.
Marcus Antonsson
Signed in the summer as the top scorer in Sweden’s top division, Leeds have not really seen too much of Marcus Antonsson so far, with Chris Wood occupying the one place up front in Garry Monk’s system.
Antonsson was curiously not even on the bench last night, raising the possibilty he is not fully fit, or in favour with Monk.
Leeds United’s Marcus Antonsson scores
Logically he is the obvious choice to replace Wood but he has not started a league game since September, and Leeds do have other options.
Souleymane Doukara
Doukara is into his third season at Leeds and he is able to play out wide, off the striker, or in a main role.
While it is clear he is more of a three goals in 10 games player rather than an eight in 10, he could do a job for the Whites until Wood is fit again.
He has the faith of Garry Monk too, being picked to start the EFL Cup clash against Liverpool last month.
Malik Wilks
Teenage sensation Wilks scored twice in Leeds’ FA Youth Cup tie last week and could be Garry Monk’s wildcard.
He was surprisingly named on the bench for last night’s clash with Reading, and his emergence could be well timed with Wood suffering an injury.
Throwing him in would excite supporters, keen to see an academy lad flourish.
Eoghan Stokes
Another option to promote from Leeds’ youth ranks, Stokes has been a regular scorer for Leeds’ under-23 side for the past two seasons.
The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland youth international featured in pre-season, after signing a one year extension at the club.
This could be his big chance to show why he deserves further opportunities to break through.
Kemar Roofe
Leeds’ Kemar Roofe shoots at goal
Roofe only has one goal to his name for Leeds so far, but knows where the net is, scoring 25 times for Oxford last season.
One of his strengths is his versatility, and he is certainly capable of leading the line for a few weeks.
Ideally Leeds would get Pablo Hernandez back to fill in his current role behind the striker, ensuring moving Roofe up does not create a gap elsewhere, although there is Alex Mowatt waiting in the wings.
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