Fresh team news has been provided for Leeds United’s huge next test at home to Arsenal - for which blows have left four men out and other three doubtful but with five others now back.
Five months on from August’s 5-0 defeat at the Emirates, Farke’s Whites will face Mikel Arteta’s Gunners for the second time this season in Saturday afternoon’s 3pm kick-off at Elland Road.
Arsenal looked every inch major title contenders in brushing side Leeds at the Emirates and that’s exactly how it’s proved, Arteta’s men still four points clear at the top of the table despite Sunday’s rare 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United.
August’s defeat at the Emirates left Leeds on just one point after two games played but a fine recent run of just one defeat in ten now has Farke’s newly-promoted side sat fifth-bottom and six points clear of the dropzone after 23 games played.
Leeds continued their good work with Monday night’s 1-1 draw at Everton, despite having three key men out injured.
Arsenal had also big players out for the weekend’s visit of the Red Devils and the Gunners had even more absentees to contend with as their busy schedule continued with Wednesday night’s Champions League clash at home to Kazakhstan outfit Kairat Almaty.
Fresh team news has since followed from both camps and, here, we run through the injury news from both sides.
Gunners star Rice was one of two Arsenal players suspended for Wednesday night's Champions League clash who is now back available for the trip to Elland Road.
1. BACK: Declan Rice
Gunners star Rice was one of two Arsenal players suspended for Wednesday night's Champions League clash who is now back available for the trip to Elland Road. | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal's Spanish international forward Merino was also suspended for the midweek visit of Kairat but he too is back available to face the Whites.
2. BACK: Mikel Merino
Arsenal's Spanish international forward Merino was also suspended for the midweek visit of Kairat but he too is back available to face the Whites. | AFP via Getty Images
Arsenal striker Havertz has been on the comeback trail from knee surgery following the injury suffered in August's clash against Manchester United and the German international missed the weekend's reverse fixture against the Red Devils having made a December return to action but the forward started Wednesday's game against Kairat and played the first 45 minutes which Arteta said was always the plan. Now back in the mix and a huge boost for the Gunners.
3. BACK: Kai Havertz
Arsenal striker Havertz has been on the comeback trail from knee surgery following the injury suffered in August's clash against Manchester United and the German international missed the weekend's reverse fixture against the Red Devils having made a December return to action but the forward started Wednesday's game against Kairat and played the first 45 minutes which Arteta said was always the plan. Now back in the mix and a huge boost for the Gunners. | Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
Arsenal's versatile Italian defender Calafiori had been out since just before Christmas with a muscular injury but the 23-year-old returned for Wednesday night's Champions League clash, playing the first half before being taken off. Another big Gunners boost.
4. BACK: Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal's versatile Italian defender Calafiori had been out since just before Christmas with a muscular injury but the 23-year-old returned for Wednesday night's Champions League clash, playing the first half before being taken off. Another big Gunners boost. | Getty Images
United's German midfielder Stach missed the recent hosting of Fulham due to an adductor injury but returned to training ahead of Monday night's trip to Everton which he started and played 85 minutes of. A huge boost.
5. BACK: Anton Stach
United's German midfielder Stach missed the recent hosting of Fulham due to an adductor injury but returned to training ahead of Monday night's trip to Everton which he started and played 85 minutes of. A huge boost. | Getty Images
Arsenal's 16-year-old hot prospect attacking midfielder Dowman made a big impression from the bench in August's reverse fixture but the teen is still recovering from ankle ligament suffered last month when playing for the club's under-21s. Arteta has said the youngster is a few weeks away from returning.
6. OUT: Max Dowman
Arsenal's 16-year-old hot prospect attacking midfielder Dowman made a big impression from the bench in August's reverse fixture but the teen is still recovering from ankle ligament suffered last month when playing for the club's under-21s. Arteta has said the youngster is a few weeks away from returning. | AFP via Getty Images