Norwich City vs Leeds United: Dan James and Patrick Bamford injury update ahead of play-off semi-final
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United travel to Norfolk for the second time this season on Sunday but may still be without one or both of their 22-goal pairing James and Bamford.
Both players have been unavailable since picking up separate injuries in the 4-3 win over Middlesbrough last month and consequently missed the 4-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers and subsequent 2-1 loss at the hands of fellow play-off contenders Southampton last weekend.
James’ issue remains a torn abdominal muscle while Bamford’s bruised knee continues to perplex the medical staff at Thorp Arch.
Text updates from Farke’s press conference here from 1:30pm.
Daniel Farke pre-match press conference LIVE
Key Events
- Bamford out for semi-final legs
- Dan James possible to return
Farke on 'pressure'
I’m not a believer of psychological games. Every team wants to win the points, if you don’t you are very disappointed and not happy. Pressure is always on both teams. Both teams have played to earn the right to win promotion. I don’t think there’s anyone at Norwich who is not willing to promote to the Premier League and says ‘no, we’d rather stay in the Championship’. Pressure is for the pundits to discuss. We want to be successful in these two games and earn the right to play at Wembley.
Farke on Will Ferrell as investor in the club
We need each and every man, it’s always good. Great actor, we are all happy that he is on board, but I don’t think it will help us much at Norwich to bring the ball into the rectangle. Says a lot about the calibre of the club. We are grateful for a lot of our well-known supporters. But it’s up to the players to bring the success. We can’t act the ball over the line, we have to shoot it.
Farke on spotlight games
You can’t hide it, the players are not stupid. It’s more like you can earn the right to play in Wembley, a do-or-die competition. They know it’s a spotlight game and we don’t hide behind the fact, but on the other hand to be there and don’t change too much in the approach or preparation. We won’t overdo anything. We had one or two days more this week to prepare, to sharpen up on a few details.
Farke on team meal
I love this and always encourage this. I have a feeling we have a really great spirit. This group is united and so tight together. For me it’s second to none, I think it’s outstanding and why this young team has played such a season with 90 points. We’re not the end product but the spirit was always good. In terms of togetherness and unity, you can be united when the sun’s shining, with a club record of unbeaten games, sadly we lost our last two games, they are still so together in these moments. These are the basic ingredients to be successful and be allowed to celebrate. Not a guarantee that we will celebrate but without the spirit you won’t. Hopefully the spirit carries us through the next days and weeks.
Farke on making sure Leeds aren't predictable
We were never predictable during the season, we’ve had different options and base formations. Principles are always the same. What we want to do with the ball, we always try to work on flexibility and plan B, C, D. We have different approaches to bring, but one of our key approaches is we want to have the ball and to be dominant. You will not see a Leeds United team under my regime that is scared and parks the bus, as long as I’m in charge.
Farke on keeping the faith
After a loss it’s not like I want to hug my players and they don’t want to hug me. What you have to show and what you have to be is care about the situation. It’s the same with our supporters - they care about our success. To win or to lose faith, I don’t have the feeling at all that they’ve lost the faith. They showed with the lap of honour at the end of the game they are behind us. Our feeling is unity.
Farke on beating Norwich already
Season before doesn’t count anymore, it’s a new competition. 90 points and unbeaten record and most clean sheets, two wins against Norwich doesn’t matter anymore.
Farke on approach
It’s not that we press a magic button and do something different, try to park the bus and put balls out the stadium - that’s not Leeds United, that’s not my team. We want to be active against the ball, try to sharpen our strength in the last days.
Farke on narrative and man management
Man management is always important in my role. Especially when you work with a pretty young side, but I trust my players. It’s definitely not about me or about playing chess with the opponent’s manager - it’s just about the players. The manager is there to support them, back them and help them, to make sure of the best possible training week. To have the right exercises to make sure the spirit is there. This game won’t be won or lost by whatever great or not that great decisions of a manager. It’s totally up to the players.
Farke on Bamford absence
Important that others step up, some others will get our nod and the whole squad has my backing and trust. We don’t feel too sorry for ourselves.
Farke on James and Bamford
Daniel James is making good progress, coming closer and closer. Joined in parts of team training. Perhaps available, depends on next 48 hours. Patrick will definitely miss both legs of the [semi-final]. He’s seen a different knee consultant and there is a mini trauma in the patellar tendon. He definitely needs a couple of weeks to recover.
Just over half an hour
We’re hearing from Farke at 1:30 this afternoon. Stay tuned. Bookmark this page to see what the gaffer has to say first.
Meslier wins EFL Championship Golden Glove
18 clean sheets for the Frenchman this season, joint with West Bromwich Albion’s Alex Palmer.
Illan Meslier“It has been a real collective effort as a team, that we have managed to keep the most clean sheets in the Sky Bet Championship this season.
“It is an achievement as a group which we can all be proud of and has helped us have a really good season, which we hope will get even better at the very end.”
Ticket details - Norwich (a)
A 2,022 away allocation, loud and proud, awaits the players at Carrow Road.
Don't forget
Tonight, Leeds’ U18s have the chance to make history in the FA Youth Cup.
The youngsters take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the competition’s final, making a first appearance at this stage since 1998.
It’s 27 years since the club were last crowned FA Youth Cup champions.
Here’s how they got there.