Leeds United vs Leicester City press conference updates: Daniel Farke reveals Bamford, Byram and Struijk latest
and live on Freeview channel 276
Leeds' fixture schedule has not been kind throughout February but United have still claimed maximum points from each of their games, ever since the turn of the year. Farke's side are unbeaten but face their sternest test this weekend as Leicester visit Elland Road.
The Foxes were beaten on their own patch earlier this season, but still hold a nine-point lead over United at the summit of the Championship table. That said, Enzo Maresca's side were defeated by Middlesbrough last weekend, allowing Leeds to close the gap to top spot with victory over Plymouth Argyle.
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Hide AdPatrick Bamford, Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk all sat out the win on the south coast through injury although Farke is expected to provide an update on the trio this afternoon, with the possibility that Bamford or Byram could return to the matchday squad this Friday.
Text updates from Farke's press conference here from 1:30pm.
Daniel Farke press conference LIVE
Farke on catching Leicester/momentum
We want to use our momentum, we have top consistency so far, in terms of performances and results, how we've defended, only conceded one goal in the league in 2024. Created many chances, scored many goals, won every league game, into the next round of the cup. It's a bit spotlight game but it's another chance to win the next points. We know we probably face the toughest opponent in the league at the moment - but so do Leicester. Very interesting game for the outside world, and the pundits and media and our supporters. For us it's just another chance to add more points. We want to use this moment.
Farke on Struijk
Positive, he's allowed to extend his training load. The doctors mentioned over 2-2.5 weeks we have to build him up a bit. If everything works in the perfect way, he can be back in team training, then available for games after the international break.
Farke is here
Jaidon Anthony is back in training, available. Karl [Darlow] is back in main parts of team training, not far away to being reinvolved. Good news for him. Injury time for him is over. With Sam [Byram] I expect him to be back in training next week. With Patrick it's developed in a positive way, much better in the past days. We still have 48 hours, he hasn't trained with the team yet, we have tomorrow's session he could be involved. At least he could be a topic for the squad. He definitely will be available for next week.
10 minutes 'til Farke
Not long to go now. He's milling about the building. We're sat in the media suite, awaiting Farke's arrival.
Stay tuned. Updates to follow.
Injuries latest
Farke hoped to welcome Patrick Bamford (calf) and Sam Byram (hamstring) back within a 10-12 day time-frame before the win over Plymouth last weekend, which suggests this Friday's game may come a bit too soon for them both.
Although, the manager did say neither issue was too severe, holding out slight hope for a possible return to the matchday squad.
We'll get answers on the condition of both players shortly.
Good afternoon
We're back in the building at Thorp Arch to hear from Daniel Farke this afternoon.
Updates to follow from 1:30pm.
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