Daniel Farke’s pre-Hull City press conference is now live and the Leeds United manager has dropped an encouraging update on defender Junior Firpo, ahead of Saturday’s clash.
The Leeds manager has been without Firpo for six Championship games now and that will become seven on Saturday, when Leeds go to Hull. The 28-year-old has been suffering with a hamstring injury of late.
Sam Byram has deputised for Firpo, but Byram was substituted at half-time on Wednesday. Farke though said that Byram and Jayden Bogle could be okay to play against Hull, despite the quick turn around.
Now, Farke could receive another boost in defence as he provided an update on Dominican Republic star Firpo. Firpo is currently one of two long-term absentees alongside Ilia Gruev, on the treatment table.
Daniel Farke has some good news regarding Junior Firpo
It was expected that actually, Firpo might be sidelined until the middle or towards the end of January. But Farke says that Firpo will be back in team training after the Hull game on Saturday, ahead of the FA Cup.
Leeds take on local side Harrogate in the third round of the competition and Farke even suggested that Firpo could be fit to play against Simon Weaver’s League Two outfit, but he is doubtful to be fit for that.
“He is in the final stages of rehab. Obviously he is not in team training yet, but pretty quickly after the Hull game he will return to team training,” Farke said, in his press conference which was filmed after Blackburn.
“Perhaps even before the FA Cup game if everything works out in the upcoming days. I expect him to be back after the FA Cup game, possibly for the FA Cup game. It’s looking good,” the Leeds manager added.
Surely, Daniel Farke doesn’t risk Junior Firpo against Harrogate
Isaac Schmidt’s eyes will have lit up when Bogle and Byram picked up injuries on Saturday. It might have meant a first real meaningful outing for the summer signing but instead, Farke chose Ethan Ampadu.
That is, after bringing on Max Wober for Byram. Damning for Schmidt who is yet to start a game for the Whites and now, with Firpo close to a return, he might be worried his first possible start is under threat.
Schmidt will surely be handed his first start when Leeds take on Harrogate in The FA Cup but with Firpo possibly fit to play on January 11 and both Byram and Bogle okay, perhaps he doesn’t get his chance.
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