Ahead of arguably Leeds United’s biggest game of the Championship season so far – an away trip to title rivals and Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United – this was the last thing the Elland Road faithful wanted to hear from Daniel Farke.
Speaking in his Friday press conference, with just over 72 hours to go before kick-off at Bramall Lane, Farke confirmed that neither Max Wober nor Patrick Bamford will be part of the travelling Leeds United party.
That, to be honest, came as little surprise.
Bamford has been absent since New Year’s Day. Wober is out until after the March international break, meanwhile.
There is, though, a new face in the Thorp Arch treatment room. And if you asked the Leeds faithful which player they would least like to lose ahead of a game which could go a long way to deciding the destination of the Championship title, Manor Solomon would be right up there.
The Tottenham Hotspur loanee had recorded eight goals or assists in his seven league matches ahead of Sunderland’s arrival at Elland Road on Monday. That impressive run may have come to an end as Joe Rothwell turned provider for Pascal Struijk’s brace in a 2-1 comeback win, but Manor Solomon produced another ‘standout’ showing in Leeds colours as Daniel Farke’s side leapfrogged Sheffield United to go two points clear.
Manor Solomon a doubt ahead of Sheffield United vs Leeds
Solomon would not last the 90 minutes against the Black Cats, however.
Leeds may have had the last laugh after Trai Hume’s thundering tackle forced the Israel international off early – Solomon issuing a defiant quip on social media after being singled out for some rather rough treatment – but chuckles were in short supply three days later.
Farke confirms that the winger faces a race against time to be involved at Bramall Lane.
“More or less the first time in ages, we have one week between the games. That helps a little bit, to have a proper training week,” Farke said, Leeds enjoying the luxury of seven days of preparation.
“We still have Patrick Bamford and Max Wober out. They are both still unavailable. [But] there is a question mark over Manor Solomon.
“Obviously, he has a big bruise after a nasty tackle in the last game.”
Farke admits that Solomon has not been involved at Thorp Arch since training resumed in midweek.
He will give the in-form wideman until the very last second to showcase his fitness though, as things stand, the smart money may be on Largie Ramazani or Willy Gnonto stepping in on the left-hand side of the attack in the Steel City.
Solomon ‘the only question’ mark ahead of Bramall Lane trip
“In the last couple of days, he was not able to join us in team training,” Farke adds. “It will be a tight race for him. We still have hope that he is progressing well and hope he can return to team training, perhaps tomorrow or, [at the] latest, Sunday.
“If he is not able to train, obviously he won’t travel with us and won’t be available. So, it will be a right race. But he is more or less the only question mark.”
Farke does, at least, have a squad far stronger and far deeper than the vast majority of Championship managers, if not all of them.
Ramazani has impressed whenever he has featured this term, and looks a safe bet to emulate Solomon’s influence on the flank.
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