Leeds United 'chance' of 'major' attacking boost at Birmingham City as boss issues updates on trio - YEP 10/8/23
Daniel Farke says there is a chance of Leeds United receiving a “major boost” of attacking quality for Saturday’s Championship clash at Birmingham City.
By Lee Sobot
Whites boss Farke had ten players out injured for Wednesday
night’s Carabao Cup clash at home to Shrewsbury Town for which Liam Cooper,
Crysencio Summerville, Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Mateo Joseph, Tyler
Adams, Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo, Sam Greenwood and longer-term absentee
Stuart Dallas were all sidelined.
Italian international teenager forward Willy Gnonto also
failed to make the matchday squad and Farke revealed in Wednesday night’s
post-match press conference that the 19-year-old had been “unavailable” but was
not injured.
Speaking at Thursday afternoon’s pre-Birmingham press
conference at Thorp Arch, Farke provided an update on Gnonto and also revealed
that both Rutter and Greenwood have been training, adding that Rutter may be
able to feature against the Blues.
"At least some good and positive news with Greenwood
and also with Rutter,” said Farke. "They joined in today for the first
time this week and also in parts of team training. Obviously for Sam, he was
out for four weeks and has no chance to be involved for the game at the weekend.
“But Georgie just missed one and a half weeks. Let's see how
it develops over the next 48 hours but the signs are quite good. It could be
that he is available, perhaps not for 90 minutes but he could be an option to
travel with us.
"If this is possible, it would definitely be a major
boost for our quality players upfront. I'm looking forward to having Georgie
available as quickly as possible and there's a chance for the weekend.”
Pressed for an update on Gnonto, Farke declared: “Nothing to
add to what I talked about yesterday. I gave you the answer. Willy was in
training today, trained really good and let's see what happens for the
weekend.”
