Touch wood, Leeds United’s injury concerns appear to be easing as a hard-earned draw at Burnley kept Daniel Farke’s team three points clear at the top of the Championship table.
After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Junior Firpo impressed as Leeds beat Norwich City 2-0 four days before their that to Turf Moor.
This was the left-back’s first appearance since early December. And if Daniel Farke had any concerns about a sense of rustiness, he needn’t have worried as Firpo produced an all-action cameo capped by a key role in Dan James’ second-half clincher at Elland Road.
Ethan Ampadu’s return to full fitness at centre-half, meanwhile, has helped offset Leeds United’s worries over the absent Pascal Struijk as well as the lack of new recruits in the middle of the backline.
Further forward, Ilia Gruev was in Farke’s starting XI for the first time in four months after knee surgery. And as far as Farke is concerned, the Bulgaria international could hardly have timed his comeback any better.
Of all the Championship midfielders, only Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass has more goals across 2024/25 than Josh Brownhill’s nine.
That Brownhill and Burnley as a whole failed to muster even a single shot on target against Leeds, Farke attributes in part to Gruev’s combative comeback.
Daniel Farke hails Ilia Gruev impact as Leeds United hold Burnley
The £4 million signing from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen not only completed more than 90 per cent of his attempted passes, Gruev also made two successful tackles and three clearances on a night in which defences dominated and shots were at a premium.
“It was important today [to have Gruev] against three physical midfield players,” Farke tells reporters post-match. “Brownhill is always dangerous in behind when the striker drops.
“We needed legs in order to defend this. And, for this, I am happy Ilia is back. A really good performance considering this was his first game back [in the starting XI].”
Leeds’ recent injury issues, rather than disrupt their title ambitions, have shone a light on the enviable depth at Farke’s disposal.
Sam Byram has excelled in Junior Firpo’s absence at left-back – his personal unbeaten run now stands at 22 matches – while Dan James’ praise for the underrated Joe Rothwell spoke volumes about the impact he made alongside Ao Tanaka during Gruev’s time on the treatment table.
Farke happy with squad depth and Turf Moor point
“We have options and different qualities,” adds Farke, a week after Largie Ramazani stepped off the bench to score one and assist another during a late 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
“We need to use our squad. And, if we do this, we have a chance to finish in the best position.”
Dan James came the closest at Turf Moor, forcing James Trafford into a reaction stop with the only attempt on target across the 90-plus minutes, though Farke is happy enough with a point against a team who would have drawn level at the top with a win on home soil.
“A good result. We’ve played a difficult away game against one of the best sides in this league. Another clean sheet, that’s pretty good,” the German smiles.
“I expected it would be a difficult game, because Burnley in possession never take risks. They never allow transition moments. You have to be really patient. They have a pretty special style of play.
“In this topic, we were top.”
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