Changes could be in the offing again for Leeds United tonight as Daniel Farke aims to keep his squad as fresh as possible.
The Whites play the last of four matches in nine days at Sheffield Wednesday this evening to bring an end to a schedule Farke has been less than impressed with, to say the least.
Farke made three changes to his Leeds starting XI that defeated Stoke City on Tuesday and it would not be a surprise if a similar number was made again tonight given the short turnaround.
Willy Gnonto, Junior Firpo and Archie Gray are among those who will be pushing for a recall after being rested in midweek, but there is someone else who will also be chomping at the bit.
Mateo Joseph is still yet to make his first league start for Leeds but a positive cameo off the bench against Stoke should be enough proof for Farke to throw him into tonight’s Yorkshire derby.
Farke should hand Joseph start tonight
Having scored his first two goals for the club in the FA Cup defeat at Chelsea last week, Joseph could certainly have counted himself unlucky not to see any minutes at Huddersfield Town.
However, he showed no signs of disappointment in his performance on Tuesday, with his 20-minute cameo helping change the game back in Leeds’ favour.
Farke hinted in his press conference on Wednesday that Joseph is in line to play more minutes if he carries on as he is, and there does not feel like a better moment to do so than today.
Patrick Bamford’s fitness is still somewhat unreliable and so asking him to start three matches in six days is a big ask, and in terms of a proper number nine, Joseph is far more impactful than Joel Piroe.
Ilia Gruev says Joseph is always working so hard behind-the-scenes at Thorp Arch and it is time that is rewarded. There is no doubt he belongs at this level.
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