The two players who have just missed Leeds United’s pre-season friendly victory over Hannover with injury

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Leeds United have just completed their second friendly of the summer.

The Whites are currently out in Germany for their pre-season tour but due to restrictions implemented by the German authorities, matches are played behind-closed-doors, without the ability to report live.

Daniel Farke’s side kicked off pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Harrogate Town on Friday and have built on that with another comprehensive win against Hannover.

Thanks to goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph (2), Leeds ran out 4-1 winners against the German side, with a strong squad named by Farke.

Among those provided assists included Brenden Aaronson and Jayden Bogle, with the former making his first appearance since returning from a loan, and the latter coming on for his debut.

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Dan James and Patrick Bamford injury absences explained

According to Leeds Live, Farke reverted back to his more familiar shape of a 4-2-3-1, with Karl Darlow between the sticks for the first half, and Meslier the second.

Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo were in the back four, with Struijk the only one to complete 90 minutes. Bogle, James Debayo and Max Wober all got minutes, too.

Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev started together in midfield, with Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Brenden Aaronson and Piroe completing the line-up.

At different periods of the game, Charlie Crew, Harry Gray, Joe Rothwell, Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville and Joseph all came off the bench.

Alex Cairns, Luca Thomas and Sam Chambers were the only subs not used, meaning the two absences from the squad due to injury were Dan James and Patrick Bamford.

The former was reportedly missing due to a ‘slight adductor niggle’, while the latter is continuing to have his workload managed after surgery over the summer. Both hope to be involved in the second friendly.

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Leeds would do well to move Bamford on this summer

Despite the fact Leeds are reportedly open to allowing Bamford to leave this summer, it is impossible to see a move materialising.

Bamford is once again going to head into a new campaign undercooked with his fitness, and who is going to want to take a chance on that?

Thankfully, Leeds appear to have a red hot striker waiting in the wings ready to take his place in Joseph.

Having been Leeds’ best performer on Friday night without scoring, it is good to hear that he netted twice this afternoon.