Daniel Farke held his pre-Stoke City press conference immediately after the win over Oxford United on Saturday given Christmas interjects the two fixtures – and he gave an update on one Leeds player.
Leeds are now four games unbeaten after Saturday’s 4-0 win, in which Dan James, Jayden Bogle, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon all got on the score sheet. The biggest win of the season for Leeds.
It came in the final home game of 2024, with Leeds’ next two games against Stoke and Derby away from home. The Boxing Day clash against struggling Stoke sees Leeds reach the halfway point of the season.
A win would see Leeds climb to a huge 48 points after just 23 games, projected to win a massive 96 points at the end of the campaign – somehow improving by six points on last season’s stellar campaign.
Daniel Farke delivers update on Joe Rodon after Oxford clash
The Wales defender is no stranger to receiving a few knocks here and there. After cutting his eye during an outing with Wales earlier this season, Rodon said he is used to it given he plays in the Championship.
That was evident on Saturday, when Rodon picked up another cut to his head. Asked if he would be okay to play at Stoke, Daniel Farke said the £10m summer signing is good to go, labelling him a “warrior”.
“A little cut on his head, it seems he has too many edges on his head and quite often has a bloody face. He’s a warrior and he will be ready to go again,” Farke said, in quotes published on Monday by the YEP.
Daniel Farke comments on any other Leeds injuries post-Oxford
Farke rotated his side once again and it saw the likes of Wilfried Gnonto drop out, before coming off the bench during the 4-0 win. The German is seemingly doing a good job of keeping everyone fit and happy.
The German was also asked about the rest of the Leeds squad and if there were any new injuries to deal with ahead of the trip to Staffordshire. Farke confirmed that no new injuries have been reported.
All the others seem to be alright, we have to assess them but no injuries have been reported. For that I’m carefully optimistic it looks quite good,” Farke added, as Leeds go up against Stoke on Boxing Day.
For definite, Leeds will be without linked-away forward Joe Gelhardt who has a hip problem. Ilia Gruev is closing in on a return but it is likely to be towards the end of January, and the same for Junior Firpo.
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