There was one rather surprising name on the Leeds United teamsheet as Daniel Farke’s side hosted Norwich City in Wednesday night’s Championship clash.
Farke admitted pre-match that Manor Solomon was a doubt to face The Canaries. Some sections of the local press, meanwhile, suggested that the Israel international was unlikely to be risked.
But not only was Solomon back in the Leeds United XI, he was also on the scoresheet before most at Elland Road had even taken their seats or their first sip of their bovril.
There were just 32 seconds on the clock when Dan James crossed for the Tottenham Hotspur loanee to stab high into the Norwich City net.
Leeds had to wait 64 largely uneventful minutes for the calming second goal in the most routine of 2-0 home wins. This time, Solomon would turn provider, his floated cross turned in stylishly by James at the back post.
Solomon was subbed off to a standing ovation shortly afterwards. Farke insists that this was always the plan, however, playing down any concerns of an injury setback ahead of Monday’s proverbial six-pointer with title rivals Burnley.
Daniel Farke positive over Leeds United matchwinner Manor Solomon
“The time to Monday is enough time to recover,” Farke tells reporters, Solomon’s 8/10 score only bettered by Dan James in Leeds United News’ post-match player ratings.
“Some might have thought it is a massive game on Monday but I wanted to send the message that this was an important game [too].
“Manor only managed to train with us yesterday and this morning. His scan was OK. I was thinking I could rest him for the last 25 minutes, and this is what happened.
“We are always a bit nervous [about overworking Solomon].”
The former Shakhtar Donetsk and Fulham winger now has ten goals or assists in just 12 Championship starts. Seven of those goal contributions have come in his last eight appearances.
Patrick Bamford still a fortnight away from returning at Leeds
Farke was less positive when asked to provide an update on Leeds’ increasingly injury-hit number nine Patrick Bamford, however.
Bamford has been left out of every squad since the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on New Years’ Day. The experienced striker will be conspicuous by his absence against Scott Parker’s oh-so resolute Burnley outfit too, leaving Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph as Leeds’ only centre-forward options after Joe Gelhardt moved on loan to Hull City until the end of the campaign.
“I haven’t spoken to the sports science [department] today but looks like [Bamford’s injury] will last a little bit longer,” Farke ads. “About two weeks until he’s back in team training.”
The former Norwich boss is not ruling out dipping into the market for a replacement with the window entering ‘business end’ territory. Leeds United seem well-placed to sign Emi Buendia on loan from Aston Villa but there is certainly room in West Yorkshire for an addition to Farke’s depleted striker stock.
“Of course, we have to stay awake in the market,” the manager concludes. “[Bamford] sadly has an injury so we have to stay awake, but we are not in panic mood.
“When he comes back, we have three really good strikers.”
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