Daniel Farke has claimed Sam Byram did not start for Leeds United at Hull City as he did not feel ‘ready’ to play another 90 minutes.
Farke was speaking in his pre-match press conference following the 0-0 draw at the MKM Stadium in which he was questioned on his decision to leave Byram out.
Byram returned to the starting XI for Leeds in the 3-0 win at Millwall on Sunday with the 30-year-old among the Whites’ most impressive performers.
However, with such a short turnaround, Byram was dropped to the bench at Hull in place of Jamie Shackleton, before replacing Luke Ayling for the closing stages.
Byram was certainly missed at left-back with Shackleton struggling to reach the levels he hit in the matches before the international break.
Farke shares why Byram didn’t start at Hull
Farke has confirmed the reason Byram was not selected to start against Hull was because he told him he was not ready to play another 90 minutes.
He said: “Yes, it was a difficult decision because he was one of our best at Millwall. I spoke to him after training in the morning and he said he does not feel ready to start again with another 90.
“I trust his choice and when we see where he comes from we have to credit him for playing regularly at such a high level. Three games in six days is too much for him.”
Byram clearly knows his body better than anyone else and given his injury record over the last few years it was a sensible decision to rest him tonight.
Three games in six days was always going to be tough for him and hopefully he will be ready to start again when Leeds face Watford on Saturday.
Byram was a big miss at left-back and so it is important he starts as much as possible, but if that means leaving him out ever so often, then so be it.
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