Junior Firpo limped off during the 3-0 win at Cardiff City with a suspected dead leg and Farke is due to give an update on the left-back’s fitness when he sits down with the media on Friday afternoon to preview the Preston game. Sam Byram returned from his latest injury to come off the bench and replace Firpo as, not for the first time, their fitness issues dovetailed. If both men are fit then Farke has a big call to make because Byram has been consistently good at left-back this season, while Firpo has started to grow in influence when it comes to the Whites’ offensive game, chipping in with assists in each of the last two outings.
On the right hand side of Farke’s defence is the only other real discussion to be had when it comes to team selection, given the performance of the side last weekend in Wales and how they have been performing since the turn of the year. Archie Gray, who was excellent against the Bluebirds, had a difficult time of it against Preston at Deepdale on Boxing Day, struggling to contain Lilywhites left winger Liam Miller. Farke could put the vastly experienced full-back Byram in there, if Firpo is fit to keep his place on the left, or bring Jamie Shackleton in at right-back. Alternatively, he could continue to back Gray as he has done this consistently season and send a message to boost the teenager’s already blossoming confidence. Gray agreed a new contract at Elland Road this week and will be hoping to continue his run in the side.
Leeds’ injury absentees at Cardiff last week included Pascal Struijk, who is yet to return from a groin problem he sustained after the Preston away game, and fellow left-sided centre-back Liam Cooper who also sat out with a groin issue. The absence of the two central defenders meant Farke went with Ethan Ampadu next to Joe Rodon, playing Ilia Gruev in midfield alongside Glen Kamara. Farke called it Gruev’s best performance in a Leeds shirt so far this season and pointed out Ampadu’s wealth of experience as a central defender, after the victory. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow remains out of action with a dislocated thumb and Stuart Dallas is still in rehabilitation for an April 2022 fracture of his femur.
Here’s the YEP’s predicted XI for Sunday’s clash with Preston at Elland Road.
1. Illan Meslier
Meslier owes Leeds, big time, against Preston North End on Sunday. Restored immediately to the starting XI after his three-game suspension last week at Cardiff, Meslier was out of action due to a rush of blood to the head at Deepdale on Boxing Day when he was send off for lashing out. Photo: George Wood
2. Archie Gray
Yes, Gray had a hard time in the last meeting of the clubs, but taking him out - after a good performance against Cardiff - would send an odd message that the teenager is not to be trusted in certain games, facing certain individuals. Backing him and tasking James with helping him out a bit more defensively would feel a more natural course of action. Photo: George Wood
3. Sam Byram
This is a difficult one, because Junior Firpo has been good, offensively, in his last two games. But over the course of the season Byram has been one of the most convincing and effective players for Leeds. If he's fit enough to start, he surely starts. That's the only question - is he ready to? Pic: Jess Hornby/Getty Images Photo: Jess Hornby
4. Joe Rodon
The Tottenham Hotspur loanee has been in fine form this season and stepped things up a level in terms of his leadership in the last couple of weeks when paired with Ampadu at centre-back. One of the first names on the team-sheet at this stage. Pic: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Photo: Marc Atkins
5. Ethan Ampadu
If Pascal Struijk remains out, along with Cooper, then Ampadu will almost certainly retains his place at centre-half following such confident, comfortable performances at Peterborough United and Cardiff City. If either of them can play, he'll be back in midfield. Pic: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Photo: Marc Atkins
6. Ilia Gruev
The Bulgarian international has had to be patient this season but took his chance to shine at Cardiff City, putting in his best performance in his natural role of deep-lying midfielder. If Farke has to use Ampadu as a defender he won't hesitate to put Gruev in again when Preston visist. Pic: Marc Atkins/Getty Images Photo: Marc Atkins