Daniel Farke faces Leeds United fitness concerns for three players ahead of Sheffield United clash due to international commitments
Leeds United face Sheffield United in six days, but Daniel Farke faces a selection dilemma due to the international fixture schedule.
Leeds United find themselves among the top sides in the Championship following their recent draw against Sunderland.
Had they secured the win they seemed poised for, they would have been joint-top of the table.
Their next challenge is a Friday night clash at Elland Road against Sheffield United, the only other unbeaten side in the division that Leeds has yet to face this season.
As is often the case when competing at the top of the Championship, international breaks present more problems than benefits.
After the Sunderland match, nine players from the Leeds squad departed to represent their countries:
Joe Rodon (Wales)
Junior Firpo (Dominican Republic)
Ao Tanaka (Japan)
Willy Gnonto (Italy U21)
Brenden Aaronson (USMNT)
Karl Darlow (Wales)
Mateo Joseph (Spain U21)
Sam Chambers (Scotland U19)
Charlie Crew (Wales U21)
This leaves head coach Daniel Farke with a reduced squad during the break, especially considering the injuries to Manor Solomon, Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, and Max Wöber.
Three players in particular stand out as concerns for the upcoming Sheffield United match, as they traveled long distances to represent their nations.
Aaronson and Firpo both flew across the Atlantic for their international duties.
Firpo’s final game is on Tuesday evening in Bermuda, meaning he’ll have less than a full day to recover and train before Friday’s game.
Aaronson, meanwhile, plays in Mexico in the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time), giving him an even tighter window to return to West Yorkshire and prepare for the match.
Tanaka, on the other hand, will be playing on the other side of the world, with Japan facing Australia in Saitama at 11:35 am on Tuesday.
Like Firpo and Aaronson, he’ll only have one full day to recover for Friday’s fixture.
With injuries already affecting his team selection, Farke may have no choice but to rely on these players, despite the physical toll of their international commitments ahead of one of the toughest tests of the season.
