Leeds United’s U21 side secured a late Premier League Cup win over Colchester United on Monday night, but Darko Gyabi was missing from the side – and it might be a sign he will be involved tonight.
Joe Snowdon netted in the 96th minute to win, after trailing Colchester for much of the second half. But, a red card on 74 minutes, with Colchester leading 1-0 – gave the Whites the impetus to turn it around.
Diogo Monteiro equalised for Leeds, before Snowdon netted late on. A brilliant win, almost winning a place in the next round. We have nine points after four games, sitting behind Chelsea on goal difference.
But what was also clear on Monday night, was the absence of £5m man Gyabi. The midfielder has only played twice for the first team this season, but has been a regular for the 21’s when available and fit.
He has played in all three Premier League Cup games prior to Monday, so it was a shock to see Gyabi missing from the starting line-up. It could well be that Gyabi has a knock, or a possible injury right now.
Leeds have hinted Darko Gyabi could be involved v Sunderland
But he played 90 minutes for the 21’s last Thursday, in the home defeat to Sparta Prague. So, it would be a surprise if he did have an injury – with Farke not mentioning him in Monday’s press conference.
With Sam Byram, Jamie Shackleton, Stuart Dallas, Junior Firpo and possibly Patrick Bamford missing on Tuesday night to face Sunderland – it might be that Farke has decided to give Gyabi a first-team call-up.
He rejected Valenciennes, and Fleetwood in the summer. It would only be Gyabi’s sixth inclusion in the Championship side this season, his first since the draw with Sheffield Wednesday on September 2.
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