Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has confirmed that centre-back Joe Rodon will miss between eight and ten weeks of action after suffering a serious hamstring injury during last Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw against Brentford.

The Wales international, 28, was forced off the pitch after just 34 minutes of that match at Elland Road, cutting short what had been a promising start to his season. Rodon had featured in Leeds' opening league victory at Nottingham Forest as well as their Carabao Cup win over the same side before the injury struck.

Farke, whose team travel to Brighton on Saturday, left no doubt about the severity of the blow. "Bad news, serious hamstring injury," the German coach said. "He will be out for eight to ten weeks. Definitely not playing before the next international break."

The Leeds manager acknowledged the knock-on effect the absence will have across his squad. "A big blow for us because he's a key player," Farke added. "Puts more pressure on us to get a wing-back — we may need James Justin at centre-back. It is important Joe comes back as quick as possible. We need a bit of luck, but we also have the January window to react if necessary."

Leeds moved to bolster their defensive depth by signing French defender Melvin Bard on deadline day, adding cover at left-back. Justin has also been filling in on the flank in the absence of Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson, who himself sustained a hamstring injury during pre-season.

Beyond Leeds United, the injury casts a shadow over Wales' upcoming fixtures. Rodon will almost certainly miss his country's UEFA Nations League Group 4 away clashes against Portugal on 24 September and Denmark on 27 September. Wales also host Norway and Denmark in home Nations League fixtures at the start of October, with his availability for those matches remaining in serious doubt.