Daniel Farke named six Leeds United players and delivered updates when asked about team news ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Harrogate Town at Elland Road.
The chances are that Daniel Farke was always going to make changes to his side on Saturday. Indeed, the German manager confirmed that Karl Darlow would replace Illan Meslier between the Leeds sticks.
The clash is likely to see some fringe players come in. Isaac Schmidt, Wilfried Gnonto, Largie Ramazani, Josuha Guilavogui and other players have warmed the bench in recent games and they will come in.
Farke may even opt to start a few youngsters, the likes of Charlie Crew, Sam Chambers and James Debayo perhaps after the trio have been afforded their senior Leeds debuts during the first half of the season.
Daniel Farke has three Leeds United injury concerns for Harrogate
Ilia Gruev will be missing as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury. Speaking in his press conference however, Farke confirmed that Patrick Bamford’s hamstring injury is a “serious one”.
It will rule the striker out for Saturday and likely for the next three weeks. Joining Bamford in missing the clash will be another striker in Joel Piroe who has muscle issues, while Max Wober is struggling to play.
On Bamford, he said: “It’s bit more of a serious, he suffered a hamstring injury at Blackburn. He will be out for four weeks, perhaps quicker depending on rehab. There is a chance he is back at the end of January.
He added: “Joel Piroe is struggling with a few muscular injuries so we won’t risk him. I have two concerns, one is Bamford’s injury and the ongoing knee injuries with Max Wober. He is struggling with his knees.”
Daniel Farke confirms that three Leeds players are back in training
While Wober, Bamford and Piroe will miss Saturday’s FA Cup clash, Farke did have some good news in regards to injuries and that is Gruev, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo are back in training after their injuries.
Gruev remains out of action until he is fully fit but his return to the squad but his presence in training is a big step towards doing that. Firpo has been out for more than a month but he’s also returned in training.
“Junior Firpo back in team training since Tuesday, Ilia Gruev is back in team training and Pascal Struijk is back with the team and available,” Farke added in his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
It seems unlikely that Gruev and Firpo will be risked against Harrogate but Farke makes it clear that Struijk, who was only out with a minor ankle issue, is available to take on Harrogate on the weekend.
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