Leeds United star hints he’s back in Daniel Farke’s squad to face Wolves after Fulham axe

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have had numerous injury issues to contend with already this season, but there could be a surprise inclusion against Wolves today.

Including some of pre-season, the likes of Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jayden Bogle, Noah Okafor, Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Ao Tanaka, Willy Gnonto, and Joel Piroe have dealt with issues already.

Piroe is someone who has incredible availability for Leeds United, having missed out on just four matchday squads ever since his arrival from Swansea City in the summer of 2023.

Joel Piroe signed for £16 million (including add-ons) from Swansea. He was brought in as the attacking reinforcement Leeds desperately needed in attack.

It may not have secured promotion but his availability was vital, while Piroe has also had an incredible record at second tier level. In 182 Championship and play-off games, he has 74 goals and 18 assists for Leeds and Swansea.

• READ MORE: Leeds United fans make surprising claim that ‘underwhelming’ player should be dropped vs Wolves

Joel Piroe announces he’s available for Leeds vs Wolves

One of the four games Piroe has not been included in a Leeds matchday squad was against Fulham last weekend. The versatile forward was an unused substitute against Newcastle United the game prior.

Piroe has a big bruise on his calf but it appears to have mostly cleared up, with Daniel Farke revealing Ao Tanaka and Piroe could be involved against Wolves earlier this week.

Piroe has hinted further that he will make a return in some capacity, posting the below via an Instagram story. The edit implies he will be involved at Molineux.

Some Leeds fans think Piroe will do well this year, but Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are also strikers at the club. They are also perhaps more suited than the Dutchman to a relegation battle.

Gary Neville has already criticised Piroe publicly and others thought the 26-year-old might be sold this summer. His involvement has already decreased from being the main man last season.

• READ MORE: What Angus Kinnear has just said speaks volumes about 49ers’ masterplan for Elland Road 2.0

Graham Smyth’s verdict on Joel Piroe

Graham Smyth believes Piroe could have left Leeds in the recent transfer window. He said: “And we can work it out what their PSR position was.

“You know, by and large, they spent 100 million. I went into the summer thinking they might spend a bit more, but I thought they would sell.

“I thought we’d see the departure of a Gruev or maybe even [Joel] Piroe. I certainly thought [Illan] Meslier would go.

“The club’s defence, I suppose, to not selling some players will be that fans and people like me, the players that we want them to sell are the players that would probably be hardest to sell.”

Bogle and Piroe think Raphinha is a top three player in the world but, like Raphinha, he could well be on his way in the next few transfer windows unless he shows some signs of adapting to the current level.