Leeds United kick-off their 2025/26 FA Cup campaign at the home of an old Championship foe this weekend. Daniel Farke’s side have been drawn against Derby County and will hope to avoid a repeat of their embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday back in August.
FA Cup action should provide some welcome respite from a physically-demanding Premier League schedule and Farke could even welcome back an injured player or two for the Pride Park trip. Joe Rodon returned from an ankle injury to start Wednesday’s 4-3 defeat at Newcastle and others could follow.
Hosts Derby also have a few fitness issues to contend with while manager John Eustace will hope to get another good result over Farke. Below, the YEP has rounded up all the latest injury and team news ahead of Sunday’s cup clash.
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
7. DOUBT: Sean Longstaff
Farke said of the midfielder on Thursday: "It would have been an amazing atmosphere for him to be back at Newcastle but I have to take decisions. He was out of team training for six weeks, just a few sessions with a smaller group. I had him at the Man Utd game for the spirit and wasn’t going to bring him on the pitch. The more days he spends on the pitch, the closer he is. Could be involved with the FA Cup travelling group and perhaps get a few minutes." | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
8. DOUBT: Jayden Bogle
Missed two games with a calf problem but was in contention to make the squad at Newcastle, had he returned to full training beforehand. As of Thursday, that still hadn't happened and so it's unlikely he'll be risked. | AFP via Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
9. DOUBT: Jayden Bogle
Farke was quizzed on the right-back yesterday. He said: "I don’t think Jayden Bogle will be a topic for this game, not today in team training. The latest he could be back in team training is Saturday but if there is any risk, I’d rather rule him out then say he's available. Unless a miracle happens, he’ll be back with us on the other side of the FA Cup game." | Getty Images
10. DOUBT: Sam Byram
Will view Sunday's FA Cup game as a perfect chance to play but Farke revealed on Thursday the experienced defender has some back issues. Is still in with a chance of featuring. | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
11. DOUBT: Sam Byram
Farke revealed on Thursday: "The only one struggling today a little bit was Sam Byram with some back problems. For around three weeks we haven’t had a day off so a little question mark but hope to have him available for this game. A lot of players have played many minutes so we need to be a bit more careful. We’ll make some late decisions but expect more or less the same group of players." | Getty Images
.jpg?crop=4:3&trim=&width=800)
12. BACK: Joe Rodon
Returned from an ankle ligament injury ahead of schedule to start at Newcastle in midweek, getting close to 90 minutes before coming off. Looked in some discomfort before the change but Farke said on the night it was just cramp. | Getty Images