Leeds United and Sheffield United players come through World Cup qualifying tie ahead of Friday-night Yorkshire derby

Australian central defender Souttar has started Sheffield United's last seven matches, whilst injuries have made Japanese midfielder Tanaka a crucial part of Leeds United's plans.

The sides meet in the Championship on Friday.

Club managers Daniel Farke and Chris Wilder will be relieved their players did not pick up match-ending injuries in the 1-1 draw, and must quickly assess their physical readiness when they return to England.

Tanaka was an unused substitute in Thursday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Saudi Arabia but Souttar has played every minute of Australia's break, having played in the 3-1 win over China in Adelaide the same day.

Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in the week before the international break have left Tanaka and Joe Rothwell as Leeds' only recognised specialist central midfielders. Out-of-contract former West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is understood to have trained at Thorp Arch over the international break but no decision has yet been reached over whether the 34-year-old will be added to the Leeds' squad.

Although Souttar has played every minute of the Blades' last seven games, they might be better placed to cope without him were the travel and playing to catch up with him this week as club captain Jack Robinson played 63 minutes for the under-21s at home to Sheffield Wednesday this week.

Wilder was relaxed about the idea of Souttaer going away.

"We talked about with him," he said, having had a similar situation in September. "He's pretty cool and relaxed about it, he's got his process he goes through.

"I don't think he's in cattle class, it would be a bit of a struggle for a 6ft 8in guy.

"His performance against Hull was outstanding so we have to trust him and what he does.

"He's a main actor for them as much as he's a main actor for us."

Tuesday's result preserves Japan's five-point cushion over Australia in qualifying group C after four of 10 games. Two teams qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, with third and fourth going into a fourth round of qualifying.

A win for Saudi Arabia or Bahrain in their game later on Tuesday would see them move two points ahead of Australia.

The game in Saitama proved controversial when the match delegate refused a request by Japan to delay kick-off because their visitors were stuck for two hours in traffic and arrived at the stadium only an hour before kick-off.

Australia had been well placed to win after Shogo Tanaguchi's calamitous own goal gave them a 58th-minute lead.

But Cam Burgess cancelled it out with another own goal 18 minutes later for a 1-1 draw.