BBC pundit is fuming over the EFL’s scheduling of Leeds United matches this week

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Leeds United returned to action after a nine-day break with a 4-3 win at Middlesbrough last night.

The extended period of rest and recovery could not have arrived at a better time for Leeds after a run of picking up just five points in as many matches since the return from the international break.

With Leicester City beating West Brom and Ipswich Town not in action, Leeds knew only three points would suffice at the Riverside and after a dramatic encounter, that is what they achieved.

After a somewhat barren spell for Leeds’ attackers, Crysencio Summerville (2), Patrick Bamford and Willy Gnonto were all on the scoresheet. Their return to form could not have come at a better time.

Daniel Farke will be slightly worried about what happened at the other end, though, with Illan Meslier producing a far from effective display between the sticks.

• READ MORE: Eddie Gray shares what he’s noticed about Daniel Farke when watching Leeds United training

BBC pundit Jon Newsome fuming at what EFL has done to Leeds this week

Leeds do not have much time to enjoy their victory at the Riverside, though, as they face a short turnaround to the next game at Queens Park Rangers.

Initially, Leeds had been scheduled to have a six day rest between the two matches, but that has been halved to just three with Sky Sports opting to televise both.

At this stage of the season, when knocks, bumps and bruises are rife, that sort of rest time is far from ideal. That said, Leeds do have the advantage of being able to put pressure on those around them.

However, speaking on BBC Radio Leeds’ post-match show on Monday, pundit Jon Newsome believes it is ‘disgusting’ Farke’s side have such little time between matches.

He said: “It’s difficult, as we said before the game you’re damned if you, damned if you don’t [make changes] sometimes if you are a manager. If he had not made any changes, and someone maybe gets injured, then he’s at fault again, isn’t he?

“I can understand it, it’s preservation. He’s got one eye on Friday, we all know, Leeds fans were singing it, the fact we are playing Monday and Friday is disgusting really.

“Everyone else is playing Saturday-Saturday, but we’ve got a massive turnaround away at Boro, then away in London. Loads of travel just because it’s got to be on TV. Poor.”

Dan James could miss Leeds’ trip to QPR

Having only come on as a substitute in the final 10 minutes, Dan James ended up suffering what could be a season ending injury at Boro.

Though Leeds will not have had the time to scan the 26-year-old, he could barely move in stoppage time, holding his ribs/core area.

Leeds are already without Connor Roberts for Friday’s match and given the short turnaround, James will have no time at all to at least try and recover to be available. Farke did not sound too hopeful post-match.

He said: “Not so much Joe Rodon, just a hit on his calf. Daniel James a bigger concern because it could his core muscle. Bad news if it’s a major injury.”