Daniel Farke has been speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon ahead of a return to the pitch for Leeds United when Swansea City visit Elland Road on Saturday.
The fourth and final international break of the season is finally over and Leeds are now presented with the chance of automatic promotion if they can stave off the threat of both Sheffield United and Burnley.
The Whites remain top of the pile but only on goal difference, while Burnley are in third and two points behind. It comes after just one win in four for Leeds, with Farke’s men surrendering a five-point lead.
A three-way race to finish in the top two, Chris Wilder described the run-in as a “titanic” battle while Connor Roberts told fans to “buckle up”. Farke provided an injury update on his Leeds squad.
Daniel Farke responds when asked about Willy Gnonto’s injury
The timing could not have been worse. Prior to the break, Gnonto replaced Brenden Aaronson at half-time against QPR and changed the game, creating Leeds’ second goal to draw level at Loftus Road.
Gnonto may have done enough to start over Aaronson when Swansea visit. But, Gnonto returned early from Italy U21 duty with an ankle injury and there were fears Gnonto could be out for a few weeks.
Farke was asked immediately about Gnonto and said: “We will see with Willy. It is an ankle injury, he arrived on Sunday, since then he has had assessment, rehab and today we tried to involve him in training.
“It will be a late decision, the less we use him the more time he can heal and the less risk for injury. We want to involve him. We won’t do anything stupid, but I hope to him but the final test is tomorrow.
“He will be 50-50 for Saturday, but definitely available for Luton next week.”
Daniel Farke comments on Ethan Ampadu and two others
Before the break, Farke said Ampadu could play in the final five or six games – potentially beginning with the trip to Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough. Patrick Bamford and Max Wober remain long-term issues.
The Leeds manager discussed the long-term trio: “Max Wober today was the first time back in training. It will be a while till he is match fit. Patrick, it is good to have him back and Ethan is also back in training.
“Ethan is probably one or two weeks ahead, I am pretty hopeful. He will definitely be in the squad for Saturday,” Farke added, as Ampadu proves once again that he is nearly miraculous in his recovery.
Swansea come to Elland Road on Saturday having lost their last two games under interim manager Alan Sheehan. However, the Welsh side have confirmed that Sheehan will remain as Swansea boss until May.
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