Daniel Farke admits he knows he needs to make a signing on the left side of defence in January, with a growing list of injuries now emerging at left-back – ahead of tonight’s clash at Sunderland.
Sam Byram has been first choice this season. Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton have both deputised for the former West Ham and Norwich man. But ahead of Sunderland, all three are injured and missing.
Byram picked up a hamstring injury against Blackburn, out until the new year. Shackleton has an issue with his glutes and will definitely be unavailable against Sunderland. Firpo is also out for a few weeks.
Leeds did try to sign a left-back in the summer, linked with players like Charlie Taylor and Luke Thomas. But nothing materialised, only Byram coming in – while Djed Spence was brought in on the right side.
Asked if, ahead of the January window, Leeds need a new signing on the left side – Farke responded in his press conference by saying he was thinking about it even before the new list of injury problems.
“I had it in my mind anyway because we know also about the injury history of Junior Firpo who was more than unlucky during his time with us. We know what Sam Byram had to deal with throughout his career.
“I had this in my head anyway. I hope Junior will be able to return in the upcoming days. With Sam, I am expecting him to be back for the first game in January. I think we have to keep it a bit in our head yes.”
Daniel Farke knows he needs Leeds left-back signing in January
Desperate, in fact. Junior Firpo is being linked with a return to Real Betis. If he stays, Leeds need a left-back purely because of his injuries but more so, if he goes. Byram shouldn’t be starting every week.
His injury history should make him a back-up option. But, he is being asked to compete every week at the moment because once again, it is our problem area. We need a long-term solution at left-back.
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