Leeds United travel down to Brighton with a clean bill of health in their squad, as Daniel Farke confirmed no injuries are present in his setup.
Leeds have an opportunity to build some momentum in the Premier League ahead of what could be a tough December, having beaten West Ham last time out.
Away to Brighton, Leeds are undoubted underdogs, but will be aided by their lengthy break between games since last Friday. Compared to Brighton playing Arsenal last night in the EFL Cup, Leeds have had plenty rest.
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An important fitness update came from Daniel Farke’s press conference. He revealed that he has a fully fit squad to take to the south coast this Saturday.
Willy Gnonto is expected to be available, as is Gabriel Gudmundsson after bruising sustained in his lower back last time out.
As for Dan James, the winger has no doubt benefitted from a week more of training to get up to top speed. The Welsh speedster hasn’t started a league game since August, but has come off the bench in the last two, since recovering from an ankle setback.
Dan James is looking for his first Leeds United start since the opening month of the Premier League season. (REUTERS/Peter Powell)
“Important after being out a while, had more or less two injuries over eight or nine weeks with one and a half weeks available,” Farke said of James in his pre-match press conference, per the YEP.
“Missed the last five or six weeks last season. All of a sudden it’s three or four months without much competitive football.
“Quite pleased for two weeks he’s back in full team training, can see him growing. I like his attitude, knows he needs to work hard and he’s doing this. Sharp in training, works really hard, does additional stuff. Physically prepared for many minutes.”
Daniel Farke ready to let Dan James loose for a more important Leeds United role
James may not be ready to start consistently, but him being back towards top speed can only be a good thing.
Brenden Aaronson put in his best performance since joining Leeds in 2022 last time out, so you’d imagine he’s going to keep his place.
That said, if it’s not working on the right, James is ready and waiting for an important role away to Brighton, as hopefully Gnonto is as well.
As good as Aaronson was against the Irons, having James’ natural ability as a winger could be crucial going forward.
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