Daniel Farke has hinted that Archie Gray will once again start for Leeds United at Stoke City on Wednesday night.
Farke was speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this evening’s clash with the Potters, where he was asked about the potential of Gray getting a rest.
The 17-year-old has started 12 of Leeds‘ 14 matches in all competitions so far this season, while also playing three 90 minutes in less than a week for England’s U19s in the most recent international break.
Farke was critical of England’s use of Gray ahead of Leeds’ trip to Norwich City on Saturday, but opted to hand him another start at right-back despite his increased workload.
After a rusty start, the ‘phenomenal’ Gray grew into the game at right-back and could again be handed another start there with Glen Kamara and Ethan Ampadu seemingly first choice in midfield at the moment.
Farke hints at another Gray start
With a decent recovery period between Leeds’ matches with Norwich and Stoke, Farke says he is ‘not worried’ about handing Gray another start tonight.
He said: “In general I am not worried about this turnaround but we played on Saturday and it was difficult because when many players are away and playing two games for their country, Archie three, important games for many of them, do or die games.
“Then they comeback just with two days before an important away game at Norwich, with just one day of training. It’s always difficult. Now they are back home, proper nights in their own beds, not too much time in their hotels.
“We have had two relatively quiet days on Sunday and Monday, today a training day. Then we play Wednesday evening, this turnaround is not a problem at all.”
Farke should be careful with Gray
Farke will know as well as anyone if the workload is becoming too much for Gray but he certainly seems relaxed about it at the moment.
From an outsider’s perspective, it would make sense to rest Gray in one of the next two matches, with the game with Huddersfield Town most likely given the short turnaround.
Handing him a rest against the Terriers would then mean he is kept fresh and ready for next Friday’s huge trip to runaway leaders Leicester City.
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