Final team news has been provided for Leeds United’s huge next Premier League test at Manchester City for which a star man is now among four out with one more doubtful for the clash at the Etihad.
Third-placed City and third-bottom Leeds have had very different run-ups to Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at the Etihad, Leeds having a free midweek but City playing in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
Whites boss Daniel Farke held his pre-City press conference on Thursday afternoon, at which he revealed news of three injury blows.
Further team news then emerged on Friday as City boss Pep Guardiola held his pre-match press conference and here we run through the final injury news from both sides with four out and one doubt but key men now back.
Starting with the positives and a big Leeds boost, Italian international winger Gnonto finally bagging his first minutes since September when brought on as an 80th-minute substitute in Sunday's defeat to Villa. The Italian had been back in training for a few weeks after recovering from calf issues and then minor hernia surgery.
1. BACK: Willy Gnonto
Starting with the positives and a big Leeds boost, Italian international winger Gnonto finally bagging his first minutes since September when brought on as an 80th-minute substitute in Sunday's defeat to Villa. The Italian had been back in training for a few weeks after recovering from calf issues and then minor hernia surgery. | Getty Images
Whites winger James has now been back for five weeks upon returning earlier than expected from a rolled ankle injury although the Wales international ace has still yet to start. James got just ten minutes from the bench against Villa and quickly looked lively along with Gnonto. Could now be back in the mix to start.
2. BACK: Dan James
Whites winger James has now been back for five weeks upon returning earlier than expected from a rolled ankle injury although the Wales international ace has still yet to start. James got just ten minutes from the bench against Villa and quickly looked lively along with Gnonto. Could now be back in the mix to start. | Getty Images
Whites striker Calvert-Lewin was a doubt for the clash at Forest due to an adductor strain but made the bench and was brought on in the second half. Calvert-Lewin again had to make do with a place on the bench against Villa as Lukas Nmecha kept his place upfront, Calvert-Lewin eventually brought on with 19 minutes left. With Calvert-Lewin now having two outings from the bench under his belt, it will be interesting to see who starts upfront.
3. BACK: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Whites striker Calvert-Lewin was a doubt for the clash at Forest due to an adductor strain but made the bench and was brought on in the second half. Calvert-Lewin again had to make do with a place on the bench against Villa as Lukas Nmecha kept his place upfront, Calvert-Lewin eventually brought on with 19 minutes left. With Calvert-Lewin now having two outings from the bench under his belt, it will be interesting to see who starts upfront. | Danny Lawson/PA Wire
A new Leeds blow confirmed by Farke at Thursday's pre-match press conference, German midfielder Stach suffering a blow to the head as he landed after challenging Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the move which led to Lukas Nmecha's opener in Sunday's defeat to Villa. Stach attempted to play on but a concussion substitution was eventually used to take him off and the German will definitely miss Saturday's game due to concussion protocols. Set to return to training on Sunday if all goes well.
4. OUT: Anton Stach
A new Leeds blow confirmed by Farke at Thursday's pre-match press conference, German midfielder Stach suffering a blow to the head as he landed after challenging Villa keeper Emi Martinez in the move which led to Lukas Nmecha's opener in Sunday's defeat to Villa. Stach attempted to play on but a concussion substitution was eventually used to take him off and the German will definitely miss Saturday's game due to concussion protocols. Set to return to training on Sunday if all goes well. | Getty Images
Another fresh Leeds blow, Farke revealing that centre midfielder Longstaff was now facing four to six weeks with a calf injury suffered in last weekend's defeat to Villa. Longstaff has been virtually ever present, starting every league game apart form the Everton opener since joining from Newcastle United and quickly becoming a key player.
5. OUT: Sean Longstaff
Another fresh Leeds blow, Farke revealing that centre midfielder Longstaff was now facing four to six weeks with a calf injury suffered in last weekend's defeat to Villa. Longstaff has been virtually ever present, starting every league game apart form the Everton opener since joining from Newcastle United and quickly becoming a key player. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Croatian international midfielder Kovacic has played just four minutes of football so far this season and is now recovering from ankle surgery. It was thought that Kovacic would be facing a few months out, the 31-year-old expected to be back in the new year.
6. OUT: Mateo Kovacic
Croatian international midfielder Kovacic has played just four minutes of football so far this season and is now recovering from ankle surgery. It was thought that Kovacic would be facing a few months out, the 31-year-old expected to be back in the new year. | Getty Images