Leeds United return to action on Saturday afternoon with a mammoth Premier League clash against Burnley, which sees the Championship’s two automatically promoted sides do battle.
All three promoted sides have shown signs that they will buck the growing trend of teams coming up from the Championship and being sent straight back down. The previous six have all been relegated.
But Sunderland have already obtained 11 points from their first seven games, while Leeds remain above the point-a-game line with eight from seven. Burnley have four, despite their incredibly tough start.
Scott Parker’s men have been competitive, too. The Clarets have only lost to Liverpool and Manchester United thanks to injury-time winners, while also facing Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesDaniel Farke provides injury update ahead of Burnley clash
Going into the press conference, Leeds fans were told that Dan James would be missing. The winger is expected to be out until after the November break, but Willy Gnonto and Lucas Perri were due to return.
Now, Farke has delivered an update on the injury status of his squad. He says Willy Gnonto and Harry Gray aren’t available, but Lucas Perri is back. Noah Okafor is a doubt, while Dan James could feature.
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“Today is the first time all the players are back together. Several players could return; some needed individual sessions. The whole team together tomorrow, always a bit tricky to prepare. Happy to be back.
“We have to make some late decisions on the load, due to some knocks, some late flights, and we will make a decision after our final session. I have not picked the squad; I will after the final session tomorrow.
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“Some mixed news. Good news with Lucas Perri, he has been able to train for the last two weeks. He has built up his fitness level. Good news. Willy, he won’t be available. His calf problems have been sorted.
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“But he used the international break to undergo minor hernia surgery. Not a major thing, but he needed to do this. He will be in training next week, he will be available for West Ham, but not against Burnley.
“Positive news with Dan James, ahead of schedule, involved in major parts of training. Not in contention for starting line-up, but with Noah Okafor struggling with an adductor problem, James is in contention.
“Harry [Gray] is also, with his hip flexor problems, is out of team training. He needs a few more days to recover and then back in team training next week,” Farke added, on teenage wonderkid Gray.
What changes could Daniel Farke now make to his Leeds side?
There are four main areas to address. The biggest talking point is in goal, with Karl Darlow impressing since coming into the side and replacing Perri, though Darlow has not yet kept a Leeds clean sheet.
Then, there is Jaka Bijol’s Slovenia form to consider. Everyone expected Bijol to be the starting centre-back with Joe Rodon and yet, Bijol is yet to make his Premier League debut. He was excellent in the break.
The 6ft 4in Slovenian may get his chance, while Brenden Aaronson’s position in the side is never certain. US media were impressed with Aaronson against Australia, but with Gnonto fit, a change is possible.
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Farke will also have to make a decision on the left wing with Okafor struggling and James not fit enough to start. It might be that Jack Harrison is brought in to start his first game for Leeds in the league.
However, Leeds fans are fully aware of Farke’s tactical consistency, and the likelihood is that he will look to avoid making big changes to his XI. He’s named the same side four times in a row; it is likely to be five.