Leeds United have made a decent start to the season, with four points from their opening three Premier League games. However, Daniel Farke has had a few injury concerns ahead of his side’s trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham this weekend.
The Whites have defied some of the expectations at the start of the campaign. They were identified as prime relegation fodder going into the new Premier League season, given how poorly promoted teams have performed in recent years.
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However, Leeds’ early performances have changed the narrative, and they are now being widely backed to finish above the relegation zone due to the solidity they have shown in midfield and defence in their first three games.
However, going into the Fulham game, Farke has a few injury headaches with several key players deemed doubtful for the big clash in west London this weekend.
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Leeds United handed injury boost ahead of Fulham trip
Daniel Farke admitted on Thursday’s press conference that Lucas Perri will miss the next two games at least due to a muscle strain he picked up during training.
He also added that Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka are back in training, but refused to guarantee the duo will be involved against Fulham.
The manager also revealed that Joel Piroe and Likas Nmecha are doubtful due to knocks they picked up, but behind-the-scenes footage has provided a more positive update.
Leeds provided footage on their YouTube channel of training, and Ampadu, Tanaka, Piroe and Nmecha are very much involved in full-fledged training.
Noah Okafor also appears to have recovered from his groin problem and is in line to be part of the team against Fulham on Saturday.
Farke needs his best possible eleven on the pitch at Fulham
Perri’s injury has come at the wrong time for Leeds as they are set to approach a run of games, where they will only face one of last season’s top nine.
They have a real chance of picking up points and building momentum in their next six games, and Farke would have loved to have Perri in the team.
His lavish praise of Illan Meslier indicated that the Frenchman has a decent chance of returning to the team ahead of Karl Darlow, but the rest of the selection looks set.
Ampadu and Tanaka’s return will bolster Farke’s options, but Sean Longstaff’s Man of the Match performance against Newcastle gives the manager a selection headache.
The Leeds manager also have to decide on whether to give Dominic Calvert-Lewin his first start ahead of Piroe and Nmecha at Fulham.
Noah Okafor will also be itching to get into the starting eleven for the first time since joining the club from AC Milan this summer.
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