Daniel Farke could be in line for a boost ahead of Friday's huge relegation clash at Elland Road
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
05:00, 04 Feb 2026
Jaka Bijol could return
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Jaka Bijol could return(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Leeds United could have a fully fit squad of players for the first time in a long while for Friday’s crucial relegation clash with Nottingham Forest.
Daniel James was back from his hamstring setback and in contention for selection ahead of the game with Arsenal but Daniel Farke had underlined that he would be careful to reintroduce him after such a long time out. He did not make the matchday squad as a result.
He could make his first squad since late November for this week’s match. Sean Longstaff has been back for nearly a month now but could potentially start his first game since November. Others could be welcomed back into the fold too.
Lukas Nmecha
Nmecha was ruled out of the Arsenal clash with a hamstring issue, not his first of the season. However, the setback was only thought to be minor and the hope was he would be back in time for Forest.
Nmecha - who has five goals this season - also sustained a hamstring injury back in December and missed three games before Christmas. He has only started one game since - the goalless draw away at Liverpool, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin benched only for rotation purposes.
Expected return date: Friday, February 6
James Justin
The defender is a doubt for the match, though there is hope he can make the cut after this week’s assessments. He was brought off at half-time against Arsenal as Farke changed to a back four, but it turns out that the removal of Justin was enforced rather than purely tactical.
“He had pain in his toe,” Farke explained. “I hope it’s not broken, but there is a danger something has happened.” Justin has grown into an important player for Leeds amid the switch to a back three and his absence would leave Sam Byram as the only natural full-back option.
Expected return date: Friday, February 6
Jaka Bijol
Bijol is expected back from his hamstring strain for the visit of Forest, having been sidelined for the last three games. There is a small chance that he misses the clash but last week Farke outlined this week’s game as his return target.
His return would be timely if Justin is indeed out, given Justin has played at right-centre-back with Joe Rodon pushed into the centre. In other games, Sebastiaan Bornauw has played centrally, but having Bijol return would make fans more comfortable.
Expected return date: Friday, February 6
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