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?
19. West Ham - 7
Key absences: Tomas Soucek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jarrod Bowen, Mateus Fernandes, El Hadji Malick Diouf | AFP via Getty Images Photo: AFP via Getty Images
20. Burnley - 6
Key absences: Martin Dubravka, Axel Tuanzebe, Lesley Ugochukwu, Lyle Foster, Armando Broja Photo: Matt McNulty