Daniel Farke has provided a fresh Leeds United injury update ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ipswich Town.
Leeds head into the game against Saturday’s opponents knowing the importance of a win as the Tractor Boys currently sit 10 points ahead in second place.
Sam Byram, Junior Firpo, Jamie Shackleton, Stuart Dallas and Ian Poveda were Leeds’ absentees for last weekend’s draw with Coventry City, though the latter was not down to injury.
Poveda actually received his first taste of international football with Colombia as he was named in a mid-season squad for friendlies against Venezuela and Mexico, which saw him miss Leeds’ last three matches.
However, Poveda is now back in contention for Saturday’s clash with Ipswich and speaking in his pre-match press conference, Farke says Poveda’s confidence levels have sky rocketed.
Poveda continues to impress Farke
Farke said: “Yes. Ian came back with smiles and confidence. Like what he has shown so far this week. Good chance to be back in the squad. Same with Junior. Left-back we are light. Two more days and everyone can make their mark and try to impress on the training pitch.”
This is not the first time Farke has spoken publicly about Poveda’s performance levels in training, praising him before last month’s draw at Rotherham United, in which he was rewarded with minutes off the bench.
Firpo has also spoken about how difficult the 23-year-old is to mark at Thorp Arch, but it is just a shame for Poveda that his opportunities have been few and far between.
The Colombian media were full of praise for Poveda over the last couple of weeks and so it is no surprise to hear his confidence levels are high.
It would not be a surprise if he was to come straight back on the bench on Saturday, though Joe Gelhardt looked lively in his brief cameo last week.
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