Burnley v Leeds United: Daniel Farke press conference live, injury updates as internationals return

Leeds United’s return to action is almost here, ahead of which boss Daniel Farke is providing injury updates today.

Farke’s side signed off for the October internationals with a 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur and a trip to Burnley now awaits in the first game back.

Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s 3pm kick-off at Turf Moor, Farke is holding his pre-match press conference today where injury updates on the likes of Dan James, Lucas Perri, Willy Gnonto and Harry Gray will be on the agenda.

That’s it from Daniel Farke - here’s the team news

Do the players see you as a friend or the gaffer?

“I don’t know, you would have to ask them. I wouldn’t think they see me as a friend, but sometimes friendly advice. If you have to lead a group of 30 players and only 11 can start. But it’s important that I care about him and that I know why they are disappointed. That I give them all my capacity. I would like to think that everyone who is in our group will speak about the relationship as positive. More strict than I friend I would say but you would have to ask them.”

On Howson impact at the club?

“Impact on me because I thought no sign him for the first team, I love him as a player, such a great lad and such a great player, he can play until 45, when I look over at how smooth he is on the ball it’s more like I am tempted to call him up for our training. He’s top class, don’t worry, I won’t call him up, but to have him around, with his Leeds roots, as a role model, it’s a perfect thing to have. Of course, you can’t just run it with local boys but overall it’s a really good thing.”

How do you keep the culture after so many new arrivals?

“First of all to be picky and then to lift the culture each and every day, I don’t like vanity on our dressing room. If someone is not going this way then you have to act. You have to be on it each and every day, there are many challenges and sometimes you have to be strict when needed but also credit to them.”

What can team spirit do?

“At this level most players are machines so we have to be even fitter, more together and there with a better team spirit, a newly promoted side if we are honest and realistic, compared to most opponents we have less quality. We have to adapt. We won’t allow anyone in our group who will disturb this (team spirit) - we need the spirit and the lads and for that we are pretty pretty picky. It’s a big challenge, you have to live with setbacks and sometimes disappointing results. The lads are top class so far but we have to keep going.”

On the Premier League level

“We have earned the right to play there and are definitely competitive.”

On Harry Gray - confident of a deal?

“Normally we just speak about business when it is done. Harry is still out of team training at the moment, back next week. And of course behind the scenes we are trying to build our squad for the future and with players that attract us, Harry is a very good player and I expect very positive news in the future. It makes sense when you announce a contract when he is fit and available.”

On the keepers

“I was happy with what Karl has done so far so nothing has changed.”

Gnonto, Perri, James?

“Some mixed news. Good news with Perri, he was able to train the last two weeks with us, build up his fitness level. With Willy Gnonto he won’t be available, his calf problems are sorted but he needed hernia surgery, he should be back next week. Very positive news with Dan James he is ahead of schedule, he was involved in many parts of teams training this week, not in contention to start, Noah Okafor us struggling with some adductor problems so Dan James could be in contention.”

On next 5 games v sides in bottom half - vital?

“It doesn’t matter where you take the points, you have to be there with a one point average game. It wouldn’t label it as easier. We have had 4 games lately with solid performance level, it should and could have been a bit more. I would judge it as a difficult period as we have three away games and just one home game. You need a bit of luck and we are just focused on this game.”

On Burnley - must win?

“Big games always on Premier League, we have to prepare for every game otherwise no chance on Premier League level, definitely not a must win, it’s an away game and you are always the underdog if it’s an away game. Both games last season against them were difficult so why should it be any different? We want to be competitive.”

Team news

“Several players able to return to the training pitch, more or less the whole team together, everyone is in a good mood. We will have to take some late decisions due to some knocks and some late fights we will make a late decision, we will pick it after our last session tomorrow.”

Here we go

Daniel Farke takes his seat. Fingers crossed for good news on the injuries front.

1.30pm

For Daniel Farke’s pre-Burnley press conference. All the news to follow here.

Farke is speaking to the media at Thorp Arch from 1.30pm and we will bring you all of the news here.

Gnonto missed the Spurs contest with a calf injury but Farke was expecting the Italian to return to training in the first week of the international break.

Goalkeeper Perri had already returned to training ahead of Tottenham’s visit after recovering from a quad injury but the keeper was not yet ready for a return to action.

James is out with an ankle injury and not expected back until after the November international break.

Young striker Gray, meanwhile, was out with a hip flexor issue.

Leeds had eight players away on senior international duty, updates on whom Farke is also likely to provide.