Leeds United boss Daniel Farke will be minus a star player for their looming Premier League clash against Man City after some pre-game injury news.
Leeds host City on Saturday evening in one of the most anticipated fixtures of this weekend, a clash that pits a side scrapping for their Premier League lives against one of the title favourites.
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City arrive in West Yorkshire sitting second in the table with 56 points from 27 games, chasing Arsenal at the top and in the kind of form that makes them a nightmare for any team, let alone one still looking anxiously over their shoulder at the drop zone.
Leeds are 15th, six points clear of the bottom three with 11 games to play.
The gap is not comfortable, but it isn't overly dangerous either, just enough to keep Farke's side on their toes.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke celebrates after the match Related
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The Whites are keen on signing a versatile attacker.
Games like Saturday are exactly the kind that can swing a season one way or another. A result against City would send a message to the clubs around them. A heavy defeat, on the other hand, could dent confidence at a crucial time.
Farke's men go into the game on the back of three unbeaten Premier League games, including an encouraging 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last weekend.
Anton Stach has pulled the strings in midfield, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has offered the focal point up front with 10 goals for the season, and Elland Road has shown it can be a genuinely difficult place to come on a big occasion.
City, though, have won their last five meetings with Leeds.
They put three past the Yorkshire side back in November and arrive having beaten Liverpool, Fulham, Salford and Newcastle twice in their last five outings.
Antoine Semenyo for Man City
Erling Haaland remains a constant menace, Rayan Cherki has added another creative dimension, and Pep Guardiola's side have scored two or more goals in the vast majority of their away trips this season.
Leeds' defence — which has shipped 46 goals in the league — will be tested to its very limits.
Farke, speaking ahead of the game on Thursday, was able to give supporters some welcome news on the fitness front — but it came with a sting in the tail.
Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was forced off at half-time during the Villa draw with a knock, has been passed fit. The Swedish left-back is available for selection and should take his place in the squad at the weekend.
Leeds without Noah Okafor for Man City clash after injury update
The blow concerns Noah Okafor.
Okafor
The Swiss striker, on loan from AC Milan, will miss the City clash while still nursing his hamstring problem.
"Just Noah is out and will miss this game," the Leeds boss told reporters.
"All the others are ready, available, and are in training and in a good mood and want to play."
Okafor's absence is a blow.
He adds pace and directness from wide areas, exactly the kind of weapon that can trouble a high defensive line.
Against a City side who push their full-backs forward aggressively and leave space in behind, having that threat is important.
Without him, Farke's attacking options become a little more predictable.
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Okafor, who's been called the 'perfect fit' for Leeds by Farke, will be sorely missed this weekend.
Still, Gudmundsson's return gives the left side more solidity, and Farke will feel quietly optimistic that his group is in decent enough shape to put up a proper fight.
However, they will need to be at their absolute best.
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He didn't hold back.