‘I like what I’ve seen’… Daniel Farke says £10m Leeds United player has really caught his eye in training

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Daniel Farke made good use of his squad in Leeds United’s comfortable 4-0 victory over Oxford.

The game at Elland Road marked the first of five in just 15 days for Leeds and so rotation is going to be key to come through it without any issues.

On paper, Oxford at home was arguably the easiest game of Leeds’ festive period and so one decision Farke opted to take was resting Pascal Struijk.

Struijk has been suffering with hamstring tightness this week and despite coming through Friday’s session unscathed, was named on the bench to avoid taking any risks.

Ethan Ampadu was brought in in his place, a good game and position for him to start for the first time since September.

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Farke shares update on Largie Ramazani’s return to fitness

Farke is currently spoilt for choice for options in the final third at Leeds and was afforded the luxury of bringing Wilfried Gnonto, Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph off the bench at 4-0 up.

Ramazani appears to be fourth choice for a place on the wing right now as Manor Solomon produced his best Leeds display, while Dan James continued his excellent run of form.

The £10m summer signing from Almeria has not started since suffering ankle ligament damage in the win over Watford back in October, but has been gradually worked back to full fitness.

Farke was asked about what Ramazani must do to get back into his starting XI after another cameo today, with the Leeds boss telling BBC Radio Leeds that he has seen a marked improvement in his training performances in the last two weeks.

He said: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to him. I can’t do anything because I can’t train for him and I can’t deliver performances for him. We just can help him. I think he was pretty impressive, in red-hot form and no one can be blamed for this little injury.

“Especially for a creative player who also needs rhythm and confidence it came at one of the worst possible moments. He needs a bit to be back at his best in training and in the first appearances when we brought him in, he looked a bit in a few scenes a bit rusty, which is quite normal.

“But I think he has made a major step in the last two weeks in training. He couldn’t perhaps use it much in the last away game at Preston but I also spoke to him that I like what I’ve seen in training, because he’s working really hard also against the ball, with focus and concentration in details.

“Even when we do passing exercises that is something you need to do to force yourself to be back in the best shape. I am pretty delighted with his work ethic at the moment, and yeah you saw glimpses today. He brought himself into some really good positions.

“For example the great chance with the header, the great run to bring himself in this position. Just a little unlucky he didn’t score because he deserved to deliver the end product. Overall we are happy to have him back, I would even say back at his best right now from a physical point of view.

“If he gains a little bit of rhythm, momentum and confidence I think he can follow up where he ended before his injury. It’s a good feeling to have him back as an option.”

• READ MORE: Leeds United player ratings from huge Oxford win at Elland Road as Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon shine

Ramazani stats in cameo vs Oxford

Of course, the conditions of the game were easy for him to come into, but Ramazani showed plenty of what he can do in the 16 minutes he had on the pitch.

Given how busy the schedule is over Christmas and New Year, hopefully a start isn’t too far away for him.