We are halfway through the first international break of the season, and after the September pause, Leeds United will be in action against Fulham next Saturday at Craven Cottage.
Four points from three games that included two of the Premier League’s five Champions League clubs is a decent return so far, but just one goal scored from a penalty will concern Daniel Farke at this early stage.
Leeds have a slightly easier run of fixtures ahead of the October break, as Farke’s side face Fulham and Wolves away from home before hosting both Bournemouth and then Tottenham at Elland Road.
A trip to London is never an easy fixture for Leeds, but Leeds will be hoping to produce a much better outing than their first away game of the season, which was a 5-0 drubbing by Arsenal, also in London.
Daniel Farke during Leeds United v Newcastle United.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Leeds expecting to be without one key player against Fulham
There are a few doubts and a few niggles. But the only player Leeds expect to be sidelined for Fulham is Ao Tanaka, who like Ethan Ampadu, has suffered an injury to his MCL. Ampadu did it against Everton.
Tanaka then suffered his knock against Arsenal and it meant both midfielders had to miss representing their countries. But Ampadu is set to be fit for Fulham, while Tanaka is expected to miss a few weeks.
Then, there are a few other doubts. Gabriel Gudmundsson came off early against Newcastle but has just played 90 minutes against Slovenia. Noah Okafor is a doubt, but was on the bench against Newcastle.
Joe Rodon has withdrawn from the Wales squad and did not travel to Kazakhstan earlier this week. But the belief with Rodon is that he is observing concussion protocols, and should also be fine for Fulham.
Ao Tanaka – MCL (out)
Ethan Ampadu – MCL (doubt)
Joe Rodon – Concussion (doubt, should be back)
Noah Okafor – Groin (doubt, should be back)
Gabriel Gudmundsson – Knock (doubt, should be back)
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Fulham could have a completely clean bill of health against Leeds
Speaking ahead of Fulham’s controversial defeat in the West London derby against Chelsea, Marco Silva said there were only two doubts. One of those, Timothy Castagne, started the game as a right winger.
The other, Issa Diop, was missing from the squad but the former West Ham defender was only a doubt for the 2-0 loss to Chelsea and after the September break, should be fit to play against Leeds on Saturday.
Marco Silva looks on during a Fulham match.
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Silva said: “Some knocks, nothing really serious apart from Timothy (Castagne) a little bit. Issa (Diop), too. But I really believe they will be available.” Against Leeds then, Fulham may have a clean bill of health.