Daniel Farke reveals Patrick Bamford injury latest and Leeds United goalkeeper decision ahead of FA Cup weekend

I have a open and honest relationship with Joffy. I know it’s tough for him, he’s a top character, has his qualities, the problem is just the competition in the squad. You can’t back or support all four strikers in the same way. I prefer to stick a bit more with Piroe, Joseph and Bamford. Joffy can also feature as a winger but we have proper competition with Manor, Willy, Dan James and Ramazani. He works his socks off in every training session. He knows I trust him but his behaviour is unbelievably professional. Once he has the thought it’s the best for him, he can knock at my door and we speak about it. That hasn’t happened yet, let’s see what happens in the next couple of days.

They trust me and know who they’ve signed as a manager. I take the decision, but I think it’s also important to be open to communicate. Nowadays it’s not a one-man show, like a manager would have done 20-30 years ago. Otherwise I wouldn’t be top in my job if I didn’t trust specialists in certain areas. I don’t want to reign like a King and don’t explain my decisions. I’m talking to our key people, not a round-table every day but I decide. To listen and hear their opinions, speak about what we can improve but in general, training ground, stadium, whatever - a pretty trustful connection. In our communication with Paraag and Angus, they’ve fully convinced me we’re on the same page. We’re one group, if we’re successful, we are successful together. I’m just a little piece in the whole project of Leeds United. I’m talking, explaining, asking question. In January, perhaps a bit more focused on players. We talk with each other.

The first thing is to speak about which positions. I think then also to be proactive with recruitment, with our network to check what is possible. If right now there’s a player who makes us better in a special position I would never say no. In January if a player is available, it’s often a difficult situation, often overpriced, or the second is he’s coming from a long-term injury or is not with the rhythm. If you offer me tomorrow Jude Bellingham, I wouldn’t say no. I’m totally happy with centre-back positions but if Virgil van Dijk wants to join, then yeah you explore it. In January, it’s the player who’s been out for three months. For that, in January I’m a bit more careful in comparison to the summer, but perhaps if there are a few positions you’re weaker due to injury or a quality issue, then it’s good to stay awake, speak to our people, spend some money. Again, it’s also difficult to improve our squad because we have a pretty good group, top player, top character, who’s affordable, is difficult. If there is out of coincidence or special situation there’s a bargain then we’ll stay awake.

First of all, because several of the really long-term injured players are back. It’s important we have Firpo back, Gruev back, Ampadu thank God back. I was a bit careful against re-injury in recent weeks but Ethan seems to be close to being back to his best already. Ilia and Junior look good in training. Competition and options are always good for a manager but too many options and the group is too big, can divide the whole group. Too many players around who are not needed is not good for the spirit of the group. One of the secrets why we are the team who has won more points in the festive period, we’ve found solutions. My experience is also the spirit within the group, the togetherness and unity, is more important than the quality when it comes to the crunch time. To overdo things makes no sense. We have one or two positions we’ll stay awake. If there is a new injury in next two weeks, we will change plans, but as it stands, a quiet January.

No, I won’t do any name-dropping. To go out on loan makes sense for some younger players who haven’t had game-time. It’s important for their development. Joffy is one of the candidates. Who will go out, we will take the decision in the upcoming days, what is beneficial for us, not for other clubs. It will definitely be players who have not been involved, one or two, not four or five, but one or two positions it makes sense.

In the cup competition, everything is possible. We see many upsets and surprising results. You never take it for granted the favourite goes through. We will rotate a bit more than for a league game but we want to go through. This is what we need to show, especially in the home game in front of our excited supporters. For them it will be game of the season, for us not the biggest highlight game but we want to be in the next round. We have the experience for the pre-season game and it was still a tough and tight game. They will make it difficult, defend for their lives, cause problems on counter attack. If we start like we did vs Hull, it’s difficult to go into the next round. We need to find a balance not to risk injured players but have a strong starting lineup on the pitch.

Second goal was a decisive mistake, think he could have done better first and third goals. We opened the gates and gave away a cheap counter attack. If he stays in the box he has a chance to repair this mistake. In general, there were a few games he could have done better during the season, strange and unlucky, Sunderland game, the ball went in some how. One or two strikes during the whole season, a player of his calibre, he should save it when top of his game. It’s a fair assessment, I spoke with Illan about this, he has had many clean sheets and good games but he can show this with more consistency. I think it’s always important to be honest and open about this. We should not forget what we have, 24 y/o young man who is very self-critical, has high standards and pretty disappointed with his last performance. For years he came as a teenager, is loyal to the club, also in the situation when there was interest in him. He stick to the club because he wanted to repay trust, he’s highly-rated in the football world. More than 200 games on his CV, more than 100 Premier League games. Named as the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season, named by a neutral panel and we’re top of the league right now, 14 clean sheets. Am I 100 per cent with his performances this season? No, I think he can show more consistency, but he’s one of our own. Important in these moments to speak honestly but also to back him. I’ve signed a contract for Leeds United, not Leeds divided. I was angry after the last game, Illan was angry, our supporters have the right to be critical. It’s self-inflicted and he has to get on with it. We’re working in a tough business and he has to accept it. Outside world, some pundits, comments were a bit disrespectful, I will be always there to back my players. The outside world always try to divide us. The old song is ‘Leeds are falling apart’, no we are pretty close together. It would be a sign of madness right now to think about a change. It’s important to address [the last game], he has to step up in the upcoming weeks but his performances were good enough to make sure we’re top of the league. We’re all fully convinced Illan in this crucial moments, will deliver better performances. If the outside world hopes we’ll crumble, it won’t happen. No panic mode, we’re top of the league.

You leave the player alone for 2-3 days, to suffer a little bit, but then we have a chat and hear his view, especially the second goal. Overall, it’s definitely affected - Karl will play this FA Cup game, it’s good for Illan to have a little rest after a poor game, good to recharge a bit. Karl is an experienced player. He needs and deserves a game. This was always the plan.

We have Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, perhaps even Willy Gnonto but we’re not in panic mode. I hope Patrick’s rehab progresses good but he’s been struggling with injuries over the season. We won’t fall asleep until the end of January.

Joel Piroe is struggling with a few muscular problems, we won’t risk him at the weekend. Apart from this, good news, Firpo back in team training, Ilia Gruev this week back in team training. Pascal Struijk today back with the team for the first time, also available. Two concerns, injury of Bamford. I hope rehab process is positive. Second is the ongoing knee problems with Max Wober. This week he was not able to train yesterday. Back involved today but every time after a longer appearance, he struggles with his knee.

Sadly it is a bit more of a serious injury. Hamstring injury in the B’burn game, he will be out in total for four weeks. Could last a few more days, perhaps a bit quicker, depending on the rehab.