Plymouth v Leeds United: Daniel Farke press conference live with Dan James, Joe Rothwell updates

Title-chasing Leeds United will end their promotion-winning season with Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Plymouth Argyle - ahead of which boss Daniel Farke is holding his pre-match press conference today.

Farke will be speaking to the media at 2.15pm from Thorp Arch and we will bring you all of the main news here, including likely injury updates on Dan James and Joe Rothwell.

That’s it from Farke

More good stuff from the Whites boss - top line is his belief that he doesn’t have to defend himself to the doubters. And a call for calm with Harry Gray, Firpo is a new injury doubt.

What expecting from Harry Gray next season?

“16 years old and he has 8 minutes of football and I would strongly recommend to calm down. Just because his surname his Gray doesn’t mean he is going to crack the Premier League. He definitely has this confidence but it’s also important to channel this. We like his talents and what he can do. We have to make sure that he is not overdoing it, we have to channel it, we will give him the time to develop and get minutes but it will happen step by step. Next season we will have an even more competitive group. I will try to stay calm with him.”

What would you say to the doubters?

“Nothing, I don’t have a feeling that I have to defend anything or defend myself. I just want to establish this club in the Premier League. I don’t want to be arrogant. If someone thinks I am not the right person then perhaps they are right. I don’t defend myself, I look back at what I have done in my coaching career. I am right now two years here with Leeds United and I would say the time has also been decent. Just because we had this one year with Norwich where no one had played Premier League level, we didn’t spend any money, with all respect I wouldn’t doubt myself or think that I have to defend myself. If someone is doubting then no problem at all, football is about opinions. We will see. I am just convinced about what I do. I will make sure that with me as manager we will have a great chance to establish ourselves.”

What hoping for this summer?

“An important summer that we make sure we are ready for the next step. There was a big gap between supporters and players two years ago, this club has always been successful when united and we worked on this. Right now it’s very important that are back in the Premier League and we come there for good. It’s to make sure that the season after we also play there, we need to spot on in each and every decision. It’s not just players, we need improvements in the staff, on the training ground, that we have a proper budget and find the right target. If we find the right target then it’s making sure that we bring it over the line. We need a top class summer, I want to make sure we give ourselves a chance to stay in this league. Before (at Norwich) it was more or less clear we had no chance. We want to be an established Premier League side.”

Did you teach Marcus Thuram that and do you take a more hands on approach for coaching strikers?

“I don’t want to take any extra credit but of course I have a soft spot for them. In general when I work with my strikers here there is a hint here and there but I don’t like to overdo it. It helps a bit more here and there, it’s more like to give some confidence and not make them even more nervous. The understanding helps sometimes yes,”

Firpo and Rothwell you mention there - anything decided on their futures?

“Not yet, we will take a decision when it is 100 per cent clear. But it will happen pretty fast now, we have clarity. Right now we are just concentrating on making everything possible to win the title and celebrate a bit more and then we will take some decisions.”

Team news.

“I am not sure, still a few question marks, Schmidt had knee problems and it’s not still not settled. Firpo had some light hamstring problems so he won’t be able to train, it will be a tight race. Good news with Joe Rothwell, looks like he can train with us today. With Daniel James slightly improved but still no team training, if he can train tomorrow he will have a chance. Struijk and Chambers still out.”

What more could you have done this season?

“97 points? We could have scored more, with all our chances we should already be there with 100 points, more than 100 points, there is always something you can improve but I think we should all be pretty pleased.”

What a third title mean for you?

“It’s not for me personally, you see how proud the supporters are and how much they enjoy it. It would be just great to share one more moment with them, it’s not for me. We know we also have some songs about being champions and it would be nice to sing these songs. It doesn’t take anything away if we don’t win it.”

On the title

“We know that we have 48 hours of work and of course we want to finish as strong as possible, the main job is done, we have been promoted to the Premier League and no one can take this away, everyone was celebrating, a great connection and a great day but of course it would be the icing on the cake to have some silverware, you can lift something and you can also drink something out of it! I have to say that Burnley are also having a fantastic season and either side would deserve it. Plymouth had a great last game, if the pressure is away I am sure they will try and take good momentum into their new season, but of course we want the title.”

Here we go

Daniel takes his seat.

All set

For Whites boss Daniel Farke at Thorp Arch, updates to come here.