Jesse Marsch press conference live: Leeds United head coach offers team news vs Aston Villa

I can unequivocally say he is very happy here and we have an incredible relationship.

Diego and I spoke. We looked at a few things. He knew it wasn’t his best performance but he’s had a lot of really good matches up til this point in the season. We have to find a way to get Coops and Luke in this team. Diego’s going to continue to be really important. No matter who I choose they’ll be ready to go.

Now we have Coops, Luke and Junior all back and those guys featured when healthy almost every time under me last season. Speaking about Rasmus and Luke I can’t make a wrong decision there. That will be a tough decision. Junior has got more and more fit and healthy and ready to contribute and Coops is close to 100% as I’ve seen him and ready to go. Up front we’ve got Rodri, Patrick and Joffy, in the 10 position lots of options.

I can say he has pleasantly surprised us, in every way. I think you could see in the video when he met us, his humility and maturity. He will be in the squad this weekend and we think he can play a big role for us now. I think you could say I can revise my statement

With Patrick it’s always been trying to manage him, pushing him fitness wise and then with also being careful not to push him too hard. I think we’ve managed it well, but it’s a little bit of a balancing act with him. Every moment on the pitch in pre-season until now he’s been dangerous, he gets chances, and obviously in the PL goals are at a premium. We will need him to be at his best.

I actually like the vantage point of being up high, I think it allows you to see the match better. I’ve actually considered managing or coaching from that position. A big part of my leadership is about ownership, that the staff comes every day with ideas and they give everything they have to the common good. And then that’s the same way I treat the players, I want them to be engaged and feel valued.

It hasn’t been ideal but I thought given the gravity of the situation with the Queen and her funeral I think it was absolutely the right decision by the league. I was awestruck by the funeral and the unity in the country. I think it was a special time to be here and to honour her reign and the passing of the torch to King Charles. We’ve gotten a little bit healthier, we were able to work on man-down tactics, a little bit more with set-pieces and I think really push the level of fitness in training every day.

I disagree with the penalty, the decision and the red card they gave me. I respect and accept the touchline ban. I haven’t appealed it because I want to respect their decision. As a coach I’ve had to miss a game or two, when I was in Leipzig, the last three matches I coached from the kitchen with COVID. I can be with them before the match, at half-time and I’ll watch the match from the gantry. I’ll have communication with the staff.

Archie Gray had an incident at home where he stubbed his toe and fractured a little bit of his big toe. He’ll be out another two weeks. Stuart Dallas making really good recovery, still be some time for him. Forshaw twisted his ankle this week, he won’t be available this week but we’re at full strength otherwise.