Xabi Alonso press conference after Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
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Daniel James is facing a late fitness test ahead of Leeds’ Carabao Cup meeting with Chelsea, though three summer signings are in line to make their debuts.
James complained of hamstring and back pain during the warm-up as Leeds drew 1-1 at Brighton on Saturday. He spent the match on the bench as an unused substitute.
Speaking ahead of taking his side to Stamford Bridge in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Daniel Farke confirmed that scans had not turned up anything sinister, but that it remained to be seen whether James could feature against the Blues.
“The scan results were good, so it seems like no new injury,” the German confirmed. “If he comes through two more sessions, hopefully he’s available.
“A little question mark, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”
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Farke kept his cards close to his chest when asked whether the three might debut, but he suggested they could come into the side, complicating Xabi Alonso’s preparations.
“Yes, first of all I trust my whole squad and there’s always a chance for changes,” Farke said. “We want to be difficult to predict and flexible and there’s a chance right now to rotate a bit in this relatively quick turnaround.
“We’ll try to win it. It’s the quickest way into Europe and some glory. But the Premier League will always have the priority, to establish ourselves at this level.
“We’re not the favourites to win the Carabao Cup, of course we know this, but we’ll travel to London in order to go through to the next round.
“We have to rotate a bit more and integrate a few new players, but we want to be at our best and go through.”