Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds United, will have a robust roster to select from when they play Norwich City in their Championship play-off semifinal this coming week.
When Leeds United plays his former team Norwich City in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, manager Daniel Farke will have nearly a fully fit squad at his disposal. Talented wide player Wilfried Gnonto sustained some “bruises and bleeding” during Sunday’s battle at Carrow Road, but Farke appeared optimistic during the press conference following the game that the Italian international would be ready to play in the second leg of the contest.
When Jaidon Anthony was substituted for Gnonto in the last quarter of the game last Saturday, he displayed glimpses of his potential. Should Farke want to shake things up in the wide areas, Daniel James and the Bournemouth loanee are viable choices.
Joel Piroe receiving a first team recall in attack following Georginio Rutter’s subpar performance in East Anglia wouldn’t come as a huge surprise. It is very possible that Farke will use Piroe at position nine and shift Rutter to position ten.
Whether Farke continues to use Archie Gray in midfield will be interesting to see. This season, the academy graduate has performed admirably in midfield and at right back. Farke may also consider Connor Roberts for the right-back position.
Pascal Struijk and Patrick Bamford are two players that Farke most likely won’t be able to use in Thursday’s second leg at Elland Road. They’re both out due to injuries.
center-back Struijk won’t be able to play again until the next season since striker Bamford is still recovering from a knee injury. Since United’s 4-3 victory against Middlesbrough on April 22, Bamford has not appeared. “He definitely needs a couple of weeks in order to recover and will miss both legs,” stated Farke.
