Daniel Farke says Leeds United defender Leo Hjelde is a “question mark” for this weekend’s trip to Norwich City at Carrow Road – after picking up a knock while on international duty with Norway’s U21’s.
The second of three international breaks before Christmas is over, with plenty of Leeds players busy over the last fortnight. Most notably, the Welsh trio of Dan James, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.
Liam Cooper, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev, Archie Gray and Charlie Cresswell have also been in action. As has 20-year-old defender Hjelde. He took his tally of Under-21 caps with Norway to an impressive 12.
He got 45 minutes in a 2-1 friendly win over Austria, before playing 90 minutes at centre-back in a 2-0 loss to Italy. Farke says he has returned with a knock, and is in doubt to be available for Saturday’s trip.
“Hjelde is the only question mark. We had them fully back today but some haven’t trained. It’s always a bit tricky but it is what it is,” Farke told his press conference on Thursday, as per the club’s YouTube.
Farke: Leeds defender Hjelde is a question mark for Norwich
While it is always a blow to lose players to injury, having no Hjelde is not a major one given the defender has fallen down the pecking order so badly – that he has not been in the squad for the last six games.
Hjelde is a talent and often with a defender it takes a string of games in the side to get him up to his best. Even the best defenders need game time. But he did not impress Farke in the first game of 23-24.
Sam Byram has become first choice on the left side of defence, with Jamie Shackleton probably second pick. Ilia Gruev can play there, as can Pascal Struijk. Junior Firpo and Stuart Dallas remain sidelined.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
