Pascal Struijk situation at Leeds United may affect Brenden Aaronson | OneFootball

He's started all but one this season, but the return of the defender may see him fall to the bench

Pascal Struijk is nearing a return to the Leeds starting eleven, with the Dutchman making appearances off the bench in the last two games.

Struijk missed four games with a hamstring issue which he picked up in the White's FA Cup third round win over Harrogate Town.

There's no doubt that his return will be a welcome one.

The 25-year-old is one of Daniel Farke's most important players, having completed each of the opening 21 games of the Championship season before missing out on a home win against Oxford United.

With Farke likely to shake up his pack ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Millwall, it may be possible that we may see Struijk make his 150th career Leeds appearance over the weekend in a starting role.

However, when it comes to the remainder of the Championship season, who will make way for the returning Dutchman?

It is assumed that Ethan Ampadu will resume his role in the midfield, but a few Leeds fans will feel that may be harsh on whichever two of Ilia Gruev, Joe Rothwell or Ao Tanaka get benched.

Therefore, perhaps we may see more rotation towards the top end of the pitch upon Struijk's return.

Struijk's return may impact Brenden Aaronson's minutes

Brenden Aaronson has been one of the unlikely contributors this season for Leeds.

He began the season in the bad books of Leeds fans after he exercised his loan option upon their 2022/23 relegation from the Premier League to spend the season at German club Union Berlin.

However, he's worked hard to get back into the side this season and, barring the opening-day draw against Portsmouth, has started every league game for the Whites.

With Struijk coming back into the side at any point now, Ethan Ampadu will take one of the places in midfield, which has been held by the impressive Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell for the majority of the season, with Ilia Gruev's return adding extra competition.

Now, if injuries in key areas hadn't troubled Leeds this season so far, perhaps the likes of Rothwell and Tanaka could have been seen as solid depth options, but now many Leeds fans will feel that the two deserve starting roles after their performances in the absence of Gruev and Ampadu earlier this season.

So, with the season heading into its final few months, competition among those midfield places will be high, something which Aaronson has hardly had to contend with this season, as there hasn't been another natural number ten in Farke's squad.

Perhaps this could lead to someone being deployed in a more advanced role to ensure he gets the right game time towards the back end of the season that his campaign so far deserves.

Struijk's comeback may allow Joe Rothwell to play further forward

Joe Rothwell has been one of the standout performers in the Leeds squad this season, despite being brought in to back up the midfield duo of Ampadu and Gruev.

Injuries have allowed Rothwell an extended chance in the starting eleven, which he has taken. Now, the Bournemouth loanee seems to be one that Leeds fans want to keep at Elland Road beyond this season.

The 30-year-old has been exceptional at creating chances and is underperforming his expected assists, despite holding a more defensive role, so will be apt at playing a little further forward than he is perhaps used to.

Although Aaronson's agility and speed on the ball would most likely see him start the majority of games over Rothwell if he was considered, moving Rothwell further forward would allow Farke more opportunity to rotate behind the striker more, whilst also decreasing the core competition for the two defensive midfield roles.

Struijlk and Ampadu back in the same side

Ultimately, the return of Pascal Struijk will have Leeds fans more looking forward to seeing the duo of Struijk and Ethan Ampadu back in the same side together - something which has been a rarity over the past year.

Injuries have come at poor times for both of them, with one man going down as soon as the other was making his return it seemed.

The captain/vice-captain pairing has only started nine games together in the Championship this season, seven of which came in the opening seven games of the campaign.

When you take into account the groin injury that kept Struijk out of the latter half of last season, Leeds fans will be hoping that the back end of this season will be the first extended piece of time the two have played together since Ampadu signed for the club in the summer of 2023.

Whether Farke will choose to keep Rothwell as defensive midfield cover or play him further forward, either way Leeds' squad is returning to full strength at the right time as they look to maintain the top spot and secure a return to the Premier League.