A look at the possibilities Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has at his disposal for today’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Norwich City this afternoon.
Leeds United have no new injury concerns heading into today’s Championship play-off semi-final against Norwich City.
The Whites will be trying to bounce back from their automatic promotion setback last weekend, when a 2-1 loss to Southampton destroyed their ambitions of finishing in the top two. With a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town, Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town secured their first promotion to the Premier League since 2002.
Leeds won both of their encounters against Norwich this season, taking all six points. A 3-2 win in October and a 1-0 win at Elland Road earlier this year.
The first leg of the semi-finals will take place at Carrow Road today at noon, with the second match slated for Thursday, May 16.
Farke’s squad has experienced two significant injuries prior to the match. Welsh international Connor Roberts is vying for a recall following only 13 minutes on the bench against Southampton.
Meanwhile, his compatriot Daniel James, who has missed the last two games owing to an abdominal strain, could play in East Anglia. However, attacker Patrick Bamford has been ruled out for both legs due to a knee injury.
The 30-year-old striker has not played since a 4-3 victory over his previous club Middlesbrough on April 22. “Patrick will definitely miss both legs,” Farke stated ahead of the Norwich game. “He saw a separate knee doctor, and there is mild trauma to his patellar tendon. He clearly needs a few weeks to recover.
“It’s critical that others stand up; some will gain our approval, and the entire squad has my support and trust. “We don’t feel sorry for ourselves.”
Farke, who returns to Carrow Road for the second time this season after managing the club for four years, also discussed James’ chances of playing. He continued: “Daniel James is making good progress. He’s getting closer and closer. “There is a chance he will be available.”
Pascal Struijk, a long-term absentee, will not return to action until next season.
Leeds United team for the game against Norwich: Meslier, Darlow, Klaesson, Gray, Rodon, Firpo, Byram, Cooper, Cresswell, Shackleton, Roberts, Ampadu, Kamara, James, Gruev, Gnonto, Summerville, Anthony, Piroe, Rutter, Gelhardt, and Joseph.
