Daniel Farke issues a clear warning to his squad players ahead of the Championship home game with West Brom - Yorkshire Post 17/8/23
LEEDS UNITED manager Daniel Farke has warned his squad players that they will only earn opportunities on the bench through weight of performances in training in the working week - and won't be elevated because of depleted options.
Leon Wobschall
United welcome West Brom on Friday night, with Farke again
significantly short of numbers, with the situation only likely to start
improving next week.
Left-back Leo Hjelde (concussion) is the latest absentee,
while the wantaway trio of Willy Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra and Helder Costa
continue to train away from the main first-team group.
Several other players including Junior Firpo, Liam Cooper,
Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Tyler Adams, Stuart Dallas remain
sidelined.
Sam Greenwood returns to the squad, while Sonny Perkins - who
missed last week's game versus Birmingham because of illness - is available for
selection.
Farke was questioned about the situation with Perkins in his
pre-match press conference.
The 19-year-old was a late substitute in the 2-2
opening-weekend draw with Cardiff. Three days on, he was an unused replacement
against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup.
Asked about Perkins, Farke, who named just eight substitutes
last weekend, said: "Yes, he's available if I pick him.
"Each of your players has the chance to shine in
training and to improve and also to show that he's ready to play.
"I would (will) just pick players who convince me
during the training and show really good performances on the level that we need
for the Championship.
"I don't (just) pick him, so it's not like just because
there are some free spots, I pick a player.
"We have to make sure that you have a chance to be
involved in the game and if not, I think it would be the wrong sign to choose
the player who was not there with top-class training performances. At least
that's my style.
"I would rather go with less players, but the players
who were there are spirited and committed and tied together. And that's quite
important.
"So regardless of who we speak (about), I want good
performance and training and then you have a chance to be picked."
