Daniel Farke has been speaking about a Leeds United player he’s yet to hand out a single appearance to so far this season ahead of the clash with Preston North End.
Leeds will be looking to use the trip to Deepdale as the catalyst to improving their form on the road after yet another excellent week at Elland Road.
Farke‘s side picked up back-to-back home wins over Derby County and Middlesbrough to move into the top two, opening up a slender three-point gap to Burnley in third.
It was a pretty busy press conference for Farke ahead of Leeds’ third game in seven days, with injury doubts over Max Wober and Sam Byram among the topics.
Farke also spoke about Junior Firpo‘s contract situation, as well as Sam Greenwood’s loan spell at PNE given his ineligibility for this game.
Farke shares why he is in ‘love’ with Leeds’ keeper Alex Cairns
Perhaps one topic no one expected to be covered by Farke on Friday was third choice goalkeeper Alex Cairns, who hasn’t played a single minute since joining from Salford City in July.
However, that is a role Cairns was happy to take when returning to Elland Road, and it is one he is seemingly thriving upon if Farke’s latest press conference is anything to go by.
The Leeds boss could not speak any higher on Cairns’ impact in the dressing room, working on the training pitch, and affiliation with the club.
As such, Farke says he is absolutely delighted to have Cairns as part of his squad, even if it is unlikely he will ever get to play ahead of Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow.
He said: “I love him, I have to say. First of all it’s good because we don’t have to play against him in the cup competitions anymore, he was outstanding against us and I don’t want to be reminded about this game because he was great in his performance and in what he did with our penalties.
“Overall I actually love him because he came in knowing exactly about his role, we’ve got Illan, we’ve got Karl, top goalkeepers for this level. But he’s chipped in and tries to prove in each and every training session that he’s the best one that we have.
“I want these players to know their role, but also not to rest. He wants to improve each and every day, he’s one of the hardest working lads and it’s always a pleasure to have him around because he’s competitive and professional, but always in a good mood with a smile on his face.
“He’s got a good sense of humour and in the dressing room he’s motivational for each and every player, discussing with Illan and Karl about the players of the opponents, to give a hint here and there.
“He’s an experienced lad, obviously not played on the highest level before so it’s not like he’s already won a Champions League. But it means he has a hunger and desire to deliver on this level. It was totally the right choice to have him with us, he’s obviously club developed and has a high identification.
“I speak quite often about the white blood running through these lads’ veins and Alex is definitely one of them. We need these type of players who more or less every day work their hardest and leave their heart on the pitch. He works his socks off because of the identification with this club.
“How mature he is in the dressing room, it’s not always about the players who play each and every second, it’s about the group. Sometimes a player who is not that much in the spotlight has the same value for the group. That is my feeling with Alex.”
Farke on how he’d feel with Cairns in goal for Leeds
Goalkeeper has been arguably Leeds’ weakest position this season due to the poor form of Meslier.
However, Meslier retains the full backing of Farke, with his error at Sunderland a clear sign of him being Leeds’ number one for the season regardless of any adversity he faces.
That said, Farke did say he would ‘never be worried’ if he was forced to play Cairns in goal for whatever reason, insisting he is ‘not just a mascot’.
He said: “It was 100 per cent the right choice to sign him, I actually love him and would never be worried if he would be in goal and needs to step up because perhaps Illan and Karl are not available. He’s a really good goalkeeper, not just a mascot. For that we’re all happy that we have him.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
