Leeds United loanee Facundo Buonanotte's response to FA Cup criticism and chance of Norwich action

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has addressed the chances of loanee Facundo Buonanotte being involved in Sunday's FA Cup game against Norwich City.

The Brighton and Hove Albion youngster ended his loan at Chelsea in January after struggling with game time and instead moved to Leeds, who came close to landing him last summer before he opted for Stamford Bridge at the 11th hour.

But after two brief substitute cameos, Buonanotte endured a disappointing full debut in the last round of the FA Cup at Birmingham City when he was hooked at the break. The attacker struggled with the physical nature of that game at St Andrews and has not made a Premier League matchday squad since.

According to Farke, the only remedy for Buonanotte's struggle is to knuckle down in training at Thorp Arch.

"Hard work is always, always the answer," said the Leeds boss. "So what he has to do, especially after the Birmingham game is more or less get on with it. Get on also with the criticism.

“He's not coming to the training ground down”

“He's a very self critical lad, fantastic human being, I also like his character. He's not coming to the training ground down, he's still there each other day with a smile on his face, enjoying his life together with us, with teammates but still working hard."

Victory over Championship Norwich City would put Leeds in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, one game away from Wembley, though Farke has insisted they will take no risks with players and continue to prioritise Premier League survival. The game could present Buonanotte with a chance to show he has put the last round behind him.

"It's not easy if you have not played that much and especially when you're young and you face a bit of criticism," said Farke.

"It's not like, you press a button and then all of a sudden you cut the world into pieces. You have to win your momentum and form back, step by step. This is what you try, what he's trying to do at the moment.

“He gets all the support, the help or the recommendations from our side, what to do to perhaps improve slightly and he has all chances also to shine, and also a chance to be involved for the game this weekend."

Leeds have not yet welcomed winger Noah Okafor back into team training due to his hamstring issue, which rules him out of involvement but there were no fresh injuries sustained in the midweek defeat by Sunderland.