Daniel Farke has told Thursday’s press conference – as per the club’s YouTube – that Junior Firpo is getting “quite close” to a return to action with Leeds United after a number of months out injured.
Firpo, 27, has really struggled at Leeds. Injury has dictated a large part of his spell since joining the club from Barcelona in 2021. Indeed, approaching two and a half years, he has only played 51 times for us.
But he is recovering from injury and has been regularly involved in team training over the last fortnight. Firpo returned to the match day squad last Friday, but remained an unused sub in the win over Leicester.
With Firpo now fit and Plymouth on Saturday being our last game before the November international break, it might be that Farke hands Firpo some minutes. Indeed, he spoke about the defender today.
“He is growing from day to day, he has not been involved in any game for months. He had many many little injuries. It’s good that he is back, he grows from game to game,” Farke told his press conference.
“He is quite close to being involved. We want to give him minutes but the key topic is to win the games and have a strongest XI and we will be careful with him,” the Leeds manager added, on Thursday.
Daniel Farke: Junior Firpo is quite close to a Leeds United return
Sam Byram will surely retain his place on the left side of defence against Plymouth. Firpo has a bit of a fight on his hands to get back into the Leeds side – given Byram has been so good, since returning.
But, if Firpo is to stand any chance, Farke has got to give him game time. So, on Saturday, perhaps it will be a case of starting Byram but after 60 or 70 minutes, Firpo gets a chance. His first outing, this term.
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