Daniel Farke suggests 21-year-old won’t be playing for Leeds again, any time soon

Add as preferred source on Google

Daniel Farke has not used Leo Hjelde in the Championship since the opening day of the season and with the injury list growing, Farke was asked if he could bring the Leeds United man into the side.

Hjelde, 20, started on the left side of the Leeds defence during the 2-2 draw with Cardiff – in which Liam Cooper and Cree Summerville scored to win a point at Elland Road. But, he was hooked at half-time.

Indeed, Sam Byram has since been first choice while Junior Firpo has come back in after injury. Hjelde has not played in the League since then. He has featured in the Cup, but is now a bit of a Leeds outcast.

The last time Hjelde made the matchday squad was the 0-0 draw against Sheffield Wednesday back in September. Ahead of Sunderland on Tuesday, Leeds are without Byram, Firpo and Jamie Shackleton.

Asked about Hjelde and the possibility of giving the Norwegian a chance come Tuesday night at the Stadium of Light, Farke responded as per the club’s YouTube. He played down the chance of a recall.

“Also available, a potential guy that can play there. But at the moment, we are focusing on a few other players. But he is an option that we have available. In the last few weeks, he has been with the U21 side.”

Daniel Farke unlikely to recall Leeds outcast Leo Hjelde to side

Pretty damning against the ex-Celtic man, that Farke says he is considering other options ahead of Hjelde. That is, even with so many options currently out. Byram, Firpo and Shackleton are options.

Djed Spence is likely to play on the left at Sunderland having replaced Byram on Saturday, off the bench. Stuart Dallas is also on the sidelines. Ilia Gruev, Pascal Struijk can also play on the left side of defence.

But for Farke to say that Hjelde is not really being considered despite the injuries ahead of him in what is probably his best position, surely suggests that Hjelde will not be playing much, ahead of January.