Daniel Farke says Leeds United have one of the best set piece takers he’s ever worked with in their squad

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Daniel Farke says Sam Greenwood is one of the best free-kick takers he has ever worked with but maintains the decision to let him leave Leeds United on loan was right.

Greenwood is ineligible to face his parent club tomorrow as Middlesbrough make the trip to Elland Road looking to become the first team to beat Leeds on their own pitch.

The 21-year-old has been in excellent form since moving to Boro and so thankfully for Leeds, he will not be involved at all tomorrow, something which Daniel Farke is happy about.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Farke says he has ‘no regrets’ about letting him leave due to the number of bodies ahead of him in attack.

Farke did not comment on whether Boro’s reported £1.5 million option-to-buy is accurate, but says he does remain a player with an abundance of potential.

Greenwood progressing but hard to see Leeds return

Having worked with him during an injury-hit pre-season, Farke says Greenwood is one of the best set-piece takers he has come across, but playing week in, week out was crucial for him.

“We are happy that he is progressing in the right way, when you send someone out on loan either he comes back or he increases his value and I think it was the right decision to send him out. He is a young player with a lot of potential.

“He is one of the best set piece takers I have worked with. Even in our squad he would be second to none but you have to make sure you play day in and day out as a young player.

“He was also a bit unlucky with his injury and we have Summerville, James, Piroe, Rutter, Gnonto, it would be difficult for him to get game time, he is now on the right way to play day in day out.

“There are no regrets and he has good chances to look back on a really good loan and the main topic is that he won’t score against us and this won’t happen. No regrets.”

Despite Farke’s comments, it is difficult to see Greenwood ever returning to Leeds after his loan spell with the reported permanent option Boro have.

Greenwood has already done his parent club Leeds a favour by netting the winner against Leicester City for Boro, with an absolutely incredible free-kick last month.

It is also a promising sign to hear that Farke considered Greenwood as one of Leeds’ attacking options before his move, with Jesse Marsch wasting his talent as a deep midfielder.