Leeds United are in action just three days after Sunday’s draw with Manchester United, as Daniel Farke prepares his side for a fourth game of five in the space of a fortnight away at Newcastle United.
It has been a crazy run of fixtures that began with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Then Liverpool at Anfield, a 0-0 draw. Then on Sunday, Man United at Elland Road, another draw.
How many more points do Leeds need to survive? 📉
Farke has said a point a game will be enough…
While Leeds remain unbeaten in seven games, it is still only 11 points from a possible 21. A solid return but it is five draws in seven, too. Leeds need a win from somewhere, but face a tough trip to Tyneside.
Newcastle are back in form after two successive wins, beating Burnley away before brushing aside Crystal Palace on Sunday. Leeds will need to be at their very best to avoid defeat against Eddie Howe’s men.
Sean Longstaff and Jayden Bogle updates ahead of Newcastle
Sean Longstaff will be desperate to play against Newcastle on Wednesday night. The midfielder made his Leeds debut against the Toon at Elland Road, and typically, won man of the match against The Toon.
Longstaff returned to the Leeds squad on Sunday for the first time since injuring his calf against Aston Villa. But Farke confirmed that Longstaff was only in the squad for added maturity, with Ampadu absent.
Meanwhile, Farke rested Jayden Bogle at Liverpool. Yet, against Man United, Bogle was missing due to a calf issue. Now, Farke has provided an update on both players, who will be keen to start at St. James’ Park.
Farke also gave an update on Joe Rodon, confirming that the centre-back has a chance to play against Newcastle which would be ahead of schedule. The Leeds gaffer also gave an update on Dan James.
“No new injury concerns. We try to recover smart, quick turnaround. Sean, my plan was to involve him in the FA Cup. He was out for six weeks. After such a long injury, I like a player to have a week of training.
“But Sean is an important player for us, not just on the pitch but off of it. His maturity and personality in the dressing room is always important. Each and every day is beneficial for Sean,” Farke said on Longstaff.
“Let’s see. Ethan Ampadu will come back. Longstaff definitely not in the starting line-up, not 90 minutes. I can confirm Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle were not in team training today, both doing their rehab work.
“Doing individual work. They are edging closer, making good progress. If the Newcastle game comes too soon, we have two more days where they could return to training, they have a chance to be involved.
“But at the moment, it is perhaps more realistic that they will return after the FA Cup game. But we have hope that maybe one of them could be involved. Expect Dan James to be back in training in two weeks.”
How could Daniel Farke line-up after Newcastle injury update…
There is one automatic change that Farke is expected to make, and that is the return of Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the park. Longstaff could be fitter than he ever has been, and Farke wouldn’t start him yet.
He will need to be eased into action, starting with a cameo off the bench on Tyneside. That means it is likely to be a midfield trio of Ampadu, Anton Stach, and Sunday’s nearly-hero, in-form Brenden Aaronson.
Who will be the biggest miss for Leeds in their trip to face Newcastle?
The injury doubts are stacking up for Daniel Farke 🤕
James Justin has produced a lot of load in the last two games, and Bogle is likely to come in even if he is not 100%, but the other four defenders should stay the same. Joe Rodon is still out with an ankle issue.
Up top, there is a decision to be made on who partners Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Noah Okafor started on Sunday but offered little, Lukas Nmecha came on on the left, and Joel Piroe almost scored as a no.10.
Plenty of decisions to make for Farke then, and he will have to make the right ones if he wants Leeds to maintain their unbeaten run. An in-form Newcastle is a tough test for any club in the Premier League.
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