A look at the options Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has at his disposal for tonight’s Yorkshire derby with Hull City at Elland Road
By Daniel Farke’s own admission, the last few days have not been the “easiest” of his managerial career. The German, a two-time Championship winner, was left with a small squad to work with over the international break as many first team players headed away to represent their countries.
While Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James experienced disappointment with Wales after missing out on 2024 European Championship qualification, the likes of Connor Roberts, Ilia Gruev and Wilfried Gnonto returned to Thorp Arch with injury issues. Farke has confirmed both Roberts and Gnonto face three weeks on the sidelines.
But it remains unclear when Gruev will return to action. The Bulgarian international is nursing an ankle problem.
There is a distinct possibility that Farke will not risk Gruev against Hull City tonight, kick-off 8pm. Gruev has been one of their standout performers in 2024 so don’t expect Farke to take any chances with his fitness heading into the run-in.
Ampadu may be asked to deputise in the middle of the park once again if Gruev is unavailable for selection. On keeping Ampadu in the centre, Farke said: “It’s too early to judge; it depends on what the outcome with Ilia is, also Jamie Shackleton is longer in training and has a few more days after his injury to be an option on fullback position to give freedom to play Archie [Gray] in the centre.
“It’s a complicated task and we have to take the ideas into account, also to have to assess how ready Sam Byram is again for Monday, Junior is hopefully in a good place to start perhaps the next game. So, everything is connected together. I have to assess how ready Liam is after many minutes in last two days. We have to wait for the outcome and then we will take some late decisions.”
Roberts, Gnonto, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas will definitely not feature against the Tigers as United look to return to winning ways.
Leeds United squad for Hull City: Meslier, Darlow, Klaesson, Gray, Rodon, Firpo, Byram, Cooper, Cresswell, Shackleton, Ampadu, Kamara, James, Crew, Summerville, Anthony, Bamford, Piroe, Rutter, Gelhardt, Joseph.
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