Leeds United’s training sessions will look a little different over the next week with 12 first-team players on international duty. Six are in World Cup qualifying action this evening with friendlies lined up for the others during an important period for all nations heading to the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.
While it offers a chance for fringe players to stake their claim for more minutes, the absence of first-team regulars will affect Daniel Farke’s sessions at Thorp Arch. The Leeds boss will be glad to see his stars on the world stage but would much rather have had them back home for two weeks of uninterrupted work.
Leeds haven’t lost as many as some Premier League teams but compared to relegation rivals like West Ham and Nottingham Forest, they are positively flush with internationals. Could that make any difference when it comes to survival?
1. Manchester City - 18
Key absences: Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Rodri, Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi | AFP via Getty Images
2. Crystal Palace - 16
Key absences: Dean Henderson, Adam Wharton, Maxence Lacroix, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Brennan Johnson | AFP via Getty Images
3. Arsenal - 15
Key absences: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya | AFP via Getty Images
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4. Manchester United -13
Key absences: Senne Lammens, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes | Getty Images
5. Liverpool - 13
Key absences: Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai | AFP via Getty Images
6. Everton - 13
Key absences: Jordan Pickford, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Iliman Ndiaye, Jake O'Brien | Getty Images