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Javi Gracia's Leeds United press conference highlights: Rodrigo, Bamford, Sinisterra and Chris Armas latest

Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia greets the media this afternoon in his pre-match press briefing ahead of this weekend’s Premier League encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion

By Joe Donnohue

Published 9th Mar 2023, 11:30 BST

Updated 9th Mar 2023, 13:24 BST

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The Whites are in need of points as they battle against a return to the second tier and will be eyeing their remaining home fixtures as an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Leeds have failed to find the net in five of their last seven matches with Javi Gracia’s men desperately seeking a regular goalscorer in the absence of Spanish forward Rodrigo who has netted 12 times this season.

Patrick Bamford sat out last weekend’s visit to Chelsea while January signing Georginio Rutter was unable to break his duck in a Whites shirt at Stamford Bridge.

Gracia will field questions on the availability of his attacking options this afternoon at Thorp Arch. Follow all the quotes here from 1pm.

Javi Gracia press conference LIVE

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023, 11:39 BSTUpdated 12:27 BST

Pre-presser column

Have a read of chief football writer Graham Smyth’s latest Inside Elland Road column here.

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023, 11:36 BSTUpdated 12:15 BST

Presser countdown

Gracia will be in the chair from 1pm this afternoon. All your updates here.

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023, 11:35 BST

Gracia on finding goals - post-Chelsea quotes

We need goals like all the team. If you don’t score, you don’t win. In the next games I’m sure we’ll have more option with strikers but it’s not only about strikers. All the team have to be ready to collaborate.

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023, 11:34 BSTUpdated 11:55 BST

Gracia was in attendance at the U21s’ fixture on Monday night

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023, 11:34 BST

Welcome to Thorp Arch

We’ve battled through the snow to make it up to Thorp Arch this afternoon where Javi Gracia will be hosting his pre-match media duties.

On the agenda: the fitness of Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra and Patrick Bamford. Fingers crossed for positive news, or simply news altogether.

Bamford Premier League Brighton and Hove Albion

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