Leeds United injury situations explained as Farke admits 'concern' and talks transfer needs
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has explained why five of his senior players were absent from the squad that drew 1-1 with Spanish side Villarreal at Elland Road.
The Whites fell behind in the second half after a dull first period, Etta Eyong reacting quickest after an Illan Meslier save pushed the ball onto the bar. They hit back almost immediately when Brenden Aaronson skinned a defender and crossed dangerously before the ball ended up in front of Joel Piroe and he sidefooted in to level.
Leeds were without new goalkeeper Lucas Perri, Jayden Bogle, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Daniel James and Jack Harrison. Mateo Joseph was present at Elland Road but Farke insisted after the game that the striker is not in his plans for the upcoming Premier League season because he cannot afford to have a distracted player in the group.
Minor injuries were at the heart of the rest of the absences, including Perri who arrived with a niggle from Lyon.
“We have Lucas Perri who is building his fitness after a little injury he had when he signed,” said Farke. “He's more or less just with us since the middle or end of the training camp. He came with a light injury, has not been involved in team training so far. He's back in specific goalkeeper training. Tomorrow or latest next week he'll join us in team training. I'm pleased Illan [Meslier] and Karl [Darlow] had good halves today. Lucas needs a bit of time in training. We have signed him out of some reasons and we're convinced he'll be a perfect addition for our squad.
“We'll see [if he’ll make the season opener against Everton]. I'm pretty sure if there's no set-back he definitely has a chance. We watch from day to day. We have to build up his fitness level, specific goalkeeper work is important if we can already involve him for the Milan game it would be good for us.”
Bornauw picked up a calf issue in the first training session of Leeds’ camp in Germany and Farke says the defender is on a ‘good path’ but there is some concern over right-back Bogle.
“Jayden Bogle has problems with his hip flexor, it's a bit of a concern,” said Farke. “Not sure if I have him available for AC Milan, I hope to have him back as soon as possible and for the last week of preparations. He's important for us, he was outstanding last season. On the full-back positions, if there is an injury - I was also sweating a bit when Gabi [Gudmundsson] went down - we're a bit thin. We have to stay aware [for additions in the window] to be ready and competitive in the Premier League with the quality that is needed there.”
Out wide Leeds were also missing James and Harrison, neither of whom were risked after issues this week.
“Daniel James had light problems in this week, didn't want to risk anything but I expect him to be available for AC Milan,” said Farke. “Jack had more or less each training session and the games in Germany but he's struggling with a few adductor problems. We'll wait for the outcome and see a consultant on Monday. Hopefully a question of a few days. I hope to have him available for the Milan game.”
The absences drew even more attention to Leeds’ biggest area of need in the remainder of the transfer window. They want to add a starting striker, have made attempts to sign a left winger and enquired about a number 10 in the form of Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.
“We know we need a bit more quality,” said Farke. “We have even lost our standout player, at least in the second half of the season, Manor Solomon. We know we need additions. Daniel James has a light injury concern, Jack Harrison had a little adductor injury. Of course it's a bit thin in the offence. I’m not anxious, I'm never anxious about football but fully aware. We're not naive. Even compared to our Championship offence you can't say we're improved. We know we're not ready for Premier League level. We've proven today we can be ready for one game. I know our key people are trying everything to add these additions as quick as possible. It's just two weeks away from the first game. I can't guarantee that for the first game everything is fully ready and each player up to 100 per cent but we have to make sure that after the first international break we have a competitive squad for the Premier League. Being able to grind out results for one or two games, we've proven this today, but we know we need to add to the squad and everyone is fully aware.”