The Leeds United spotlight will be one position in particular at Turf Moor on Saturday
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
09:00, 17 Oct 2025
Isaac Johnson
Isaac is the Leeds United reporter for LeedsLive. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, Isaac has interviewed many football icons during his career, including World Cup winners and Premier League champions. He has also sat down with a number of Olympic greats, such as Adam Peaty MBE and Dame Laura Kenny.
Jack Harrison has yet to start a Premier League game
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Jack Harrison has yet to start a Premier League game(Image: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
Leeds United know that a win over Burnley this weekend will see them move seven points ahead of their Premier League relegation rivals - a sizeable distance so early on.
The hosts will be out to get a win, having only registered one in their first seven matches. Their intent to be ambitious could play into United’s hands, with spaces to be attacked.
Some will brand the match as a must-win. At the very least it is a must-not-lose, as doing so will close the gap between the two clubs to just a single point. The contest will have a massive impact on confidence for both teams, whichever way it goes.
Darlow's chance
Karl Darlow played excellently in the four games Lucas Perri was sidelined for with his quad issue, being sturdy and pulling off some very good saves. He kept the match sharpness in tune over the international break by playing both of Wales’ World Cup qualifiers.
Perri is back in team training but by no means ready to start and so Darlow will retain his place. Clearly, Perri was brought in as number one amid Farke's lack of confidence in Darlow being his 'keeper for the whole season.
Yet, despite not recording a clean sheet, it is arguable that the Welshman has performed the better of the two. Daniel Farke stopped short of stating Darlow has gone ahead in the pecking order, perhaps hinting the opposite.
"He takes also bit the pressure away from from from Lucas that he would come in without being fully prepared for such a situation," said Farke. Darlow's task is to produce performances where he is simply undroppable. This is his chance.
Wing selection
Who gets selected on the flanks is a debate point given Wilfried Gnonto’s absence following minor surgery on a hernia and Noah Okafor being a doubt with an adductor issue.
Brenden Aaronson played for the USA in the early hours of Wednesday morning and has had to deal with a tight turnaround but circumstances might dictate that he starts.
There is the option to play Jack Harrison on the right, the winger coming on in that role against Tottenham Hotspur before the international break.
But if Okafor does not pass late fitness tests then Harrison will likely start on the left, marking his first league start of the campaign - a fantastic opportunity to re-showcase himself.
Remarkable James recovery
Daniel James could make a remarkable return to the matchday squad and even get some minutes on Saturday. This would be a turn of events.
The winger was set to be sidelined for at least a month with his ankle problem but has made fantastic progress in his rehabilitation. "He was even involved already in major parts of team training during during this week," Farke explained.
"He's definitely not in contention for the starting lineup. But due to the fact that we had lots of load and also a few problems in training, and Okafor is also struggling little bit he could be perhaps even contention to be picked for the squad.
"I didn't expect this, to be honest, it's definitely positive news with him, and he could be in contention for the travelling squad and also for some minutes."
Silencing Anthony
Burnley's clear danger man is Jaidon Anthony, who has scored more than half of his team's Premier League goals this season. His four goals in seven games have impressed onlookers. He has yet to go two league games without scoring.
Silencing him will be key to blunting Burnley's potency. The winger had come off early with a knock against Aston Villa just before the international break but he is expected to take the field at Turf Moor.
Farke spoke glowingly of his former 2023/23 Leeds loanee on Thursday. "It was always great to have him around. It was a joy each and every day to work with him," he said.
“Perhaps not tomorrow, though, sorry the fingers are perhaps not crossed, but in all the other games, my fingers are always crossed for him because he's a fantastic person."
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