Leeds United press conference: Daniel Farke reacts to fan criticism, provides injury update and team news pre-Cardiff
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his pre-match press conference this afternoon as the Whites prepare to face bottom-of-the-table Cardiff City in South Wales
United are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend when they travel to the Cardiff City Stadium with Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut under increasing pressure after a dismal start to the campaign.
Cardiff have lost four of their opening five league games this season, conceding 11 in the process and will likely seek to frustrate their white-shirted opponents on Saturday afternoon by setting up defensively.
Whilst a draw might be enough to convince the Cardiff hierarchy Bulut has arrested the slump, a point in South Wales will be regarded a disappointing result for Daniel Farke. Leeds, at the very least, need to be winning this game in order to avoid falling further behind the Championship’s early pace-setters at the summit of the table.
Farke confirmed last week Dan James would miss out until after the next international break in mid-October due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury, while Patrick Bamford sat out the defeat by Burnley last weekend entirely despite returning to team training.
Who else might be injured?
We’re anticipating an update on the 31-year-old striker as well as central defender Max Wober who reported back from international duty with a meniscus problem.
In addition, Farke is likely to offer updates on the conditions of Ethan Ampadu - who was substituted following a heavy challenge against the Clarets - and Joe Rodon. The latter may have suffered a concussion in the closing stages of the 1-0 defeat therefore his availability this coming weekend is a topic for discussion.
Planned tribute
Two of beloved ex-skipper Sol Bamba’s former clubs will come together this weekend to honour the larger-than-life character who sadly passed away earlier this month. Bamba represented Leeds between 2015 and 2016 before joining the Bluebirds for a five year stint which came to an end in 2021. The Ivorian will be the face of Cardiff’s matchday programme.
Follow all the text updates from Farke’s press conference here from 1:30pm.