Leeds United go to Carrow Road on Sunday afternoon to face Norwich City in the opening leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
Leeds United’s preparations for their Championship play-off semi-final against Norwich City will be well underway as they aim to secure a spot at Wembley.
The Whites travel to Carrow Road having not lost in East Anglia since April 2018. However, Leeds has not fared well in the season’s knockout round, having failed to gain promotion in their previous five play-off attempts.
Daniel Farke’s side finished the regular season with a defeat to Southampton at Elland Road, six points behind Ipswich Town and Leicester City in the automatic promotion berths. However, the Leeds manager has stated that he hopes to see some of his players return for ‘the three finals’, after missing Patrick Bamford and Daniel James in recent weeks.
Will any of the Whites’ injured players return for the playoffs? Here’s the latest from the Thorp Arch treatment room, as well as prospective comeback dates for players who are now sidelined.
Patrick Bamford
The striker has missed the last two league games due to a damaged knee, including the Whites’ away defeat to Queens Park Rangers, which allowed Leicester City to gain promotion. The 30-year-old will be hoping to return to the Leeds squad against the team he was on loan with in the second half of the 2015/16 season.
What Farke said following Southampton’s defeat: “Hopefully, there’s also a chance Patrick Bamford will return to the group because we also desperately need these types of players who, especially Patrick in the second half of the season, played a crucial role.”
Return date: Norwich (H) – May 16.
Daniel James
The Wales international sustained an oblique abdominal strain in their 4-3 win over Middlesbrough at the end of last month and has missed the last two league games. This season, he has appeared in more than 40 games for the Whites, scoring 13 goals and assisting seven times.
What Farke said after Southampton: “Hopefully, there’s also a chance Daniel James will return to the group because we desperately need these types of players who, particularly Patrick in the second half of the season, played a crucial role, Daniel James, throughout the season.”
Return Date: Norwich (A) – May 12
Crysencio Summerville
While the attacker played the entire final day defeat to the Saints, the Leeds manager was left squirming in his seat with the prospect of losing his leading scorer in the play-offs. Kamaldeen Sulemana delivered a late tackle on the 22-year-old.
What Farke stated after Southampton: “Overall, I hope Cree’s initial appraisal was not too harsh. When you see a foul against Piroe in this sequence, I’m glad Summerville’s ankle isn’t broken. He was accused of a heinous and filthy offense. I hope he is okay.”
Return Date: Norwich City (A) – May 12
Pascal Struijk
The centre-back has not played since suffering a groin injury against Preston North End on Boxing Day. Leeds have missed his aerial prowess from set pieces and leadership in the run-in, and Farke backs up this allegation.
Struijk underwent surgery in March and will not be available for selection again until next season.
