It would not be a Daniel Farke press conference without the Leeds United boss ruling out a couple of first-teamers ahead of the weekend’s latest Championship clash.
And while Leeds’ injury fears may have been eased a little of late – Manor Solomon and Brenden Aaronson both came through knocks last week while Junior Firpo is back much to Daniel Farke’s delight – the Elland Road manager does not yet have the luxury of a full bill of health.
Farke confirms Patrick Bamford and Max Wober are out ahead of Leeds United’s home clash with a resurgent Cardiff City on Saturday. Pascal Struijk is also still unavailable, even if the noises coming out of Thorp Arch are extremely positive regarding the Dutch defender.
It was feared that Struijk could be out for much of this season’s business end. But with the results of a scan providing an almighty sigh of relief – Struijk escaped any damage to his tendon – it will be a case of weeks on the sidelines rather than months.
Leeds’ number five was back on the training pitch this week. Teenager Sam Chambers could also be spotted being put through his paces at Thorp Arch.
Sam Chambers and Pascal Struijk back in training at Leeds United
The highly-rated 17-year-old has not been part of a Championship squad since the 4-0 thrashing of Oxford United just before Christmas due to a knee problem.
Chambers is closing in on a return of his own alongside Struijk now, though, with the Scotland Under-19 international hoping to build on the league debut he earned when featuring off the bench against Plymouth Argyle in November.
Chambers posted a photo of himself via his official Instagram account, showing himself building up sharpness again while testing out his newly-recovered knee.
“Pascal is back in team training, also Sam Chambers,” Farke said during his pre-Cardiff press conference on Thursday. “Wober and Patrick will be out for the game. They are the only two concerns.”
A graduate of Leeds’ academy, the West Yorkshire-born midfielder signed his first professional contract last year.
Chambers has impressed with his maturity as well as his ability in Leeds’ Under 23 side. Former left-back turned LUTV pundit Ben Parker highlighted Chambers’ remarkable energy levels as well as his appreciation of the game state as he helped run down the clock during the National League Cup clash with Halifax Town’s first-team recently.
“That was brilliant play, he showed maturity beyond his years to go into the corner,” Parker said. “You can see he was tired but he showed good energy. [These sort of qualities are] invaluable for your team, pushing up the pitch.”
Daniel Farke explains why he likes Elland Road starlet Chambers
Daniel Farke admits Leeds see ‘a lot of potential’ in Sam Chambers, with his senior bow against Plymouth coming out following some eye-catching displays behind the scenes and with the club’s youth sides.
“I don’t like to talk too much in public especially if they haven’t played one minute competitively,” Farke said after Chambers scored in a 3-0 pre-season victory over Harrogate Town, breaking from his usual tradition while singling him out for praise.
“[Then] 16 years old, in the spotlight, but I don’t like to put too much weight on their shoulders. We see a lot of potential in him and, from a physical point, he is pretty far ahead of his age. It is not very often you have a player like him in the squad. But there are no guarantees. You have to show something.
“He is adapting, improving week to week but I can’t predict if he’s ready to start a game. He’s improving and we like him, a really bright guy and open to learn.”
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