Leeds United vs Millwall: Daniel Farke reveals early team news and injury latest in pre-match press conference — YEP 15/3/24

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke sits down with the media this afternoon ahead of the Whites' Championship fixture against Millwall.

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds maintained their unbeaten league record in 2024 last Friday night as Sheffield Wednesday were seen off at Hillsborough by two goals to nil. The United players were given time off following their eleventh win in 12 Championship games and returned to Thorp Arch en masse midway through this week.

Each of Farke's first-team squad members will have been assessed for knocks or injuries picked up in the win over Wednesday, although it is expected that the overwhelming majority of the German's stalwarts have come through unscathed.

Pascal Struijk remains out as he continues his comeback from injury, meanwhile Stuart Dallas remains the club's only long-term injury absentee. Jamie Shackleton may be reintegrated after sitting out the Wednesday victory due to concussion protocols, while Jaidon Anthony will return to the fold following leave for personal reasons.

Farke on keeping Ampadu fresh

It's a credit to his personality and quality, he's in cruise control. At the moment he's impressive with his consistency. Such an impressive defensive player, but also in build-up and leadership. I always want to have him on the pitch, he looks sharp and prepared. I love his mentality, he does a lot between games, to recover, he's very professional and mature for a young age. He's not the only player but one player that is in the spotlight. I'm pretty pleased with Ethan - we assess him every week, hopefully he stays without injuries in great shape.

Farke on whether going top would change the dynamic

It's a bit of a difference if you have to chase or bring the lead over the line. I think especially this season it doesn't change that much, the other teams are showing such a consistency. The table position wouldn't change our dynamic or position that much. Yes there's a chance to improve our position but just because in the end Leicester would have a game in hand, I'm not over-interpreting the league position too much - what is priceless is the three points. We keep chasing the points tally and the number of wins we want to have.

Farke on Archie's England recognition

The most important topic is not so much talking but what happens on the pitch, his games, his consistency, also his personality, how his behaviour is and how he handles all the praise and spotlight in a humble and down to earth way. Gareth is very experienced and knows this game in a top way. You don't even have to be a football expert to know how good Archie is. It's not a surprise there are positive comments. I'm not worried about Archie handling these comments because he's so down to earth. I don't sense a difference at all, he is 18 meanwhile, he can be with us in the dressing room now.

Farke on promotion race bringing the best

You never know, sometimes you can be over-motivated and a little nervous. It's important to find a good balance, to play with fire in the heart but stay cool in the head. This league is all about consistency and this is what teams at the top have proved in a remarkable and incredible way. It will be a tight competition until the end. We're looking forward to this period.

Farke on differences between Leeds team that beat Millwall earlier in season and now

Confidence level is much better now. You get used to losing games after losing a lot of matches over the last two years. Obviously we have worked a lot in our principles, how we want to play, to develop younger players and other individual players like Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Glen Kamara. You need confidence, to work on individual game and our principles. More or less our players what we want to do against the ball, how our football should look like, we're more in our rhythm. We've developed a lot in comparison to the beginning of the season. Credit to my players, they've been open-minded and credit to individual players who are playing crucial and central roles for us and didn't come in the summer with the best rhythm and confidence level. It's a credit to how far they've come.

Farke on Millwall and Harris

They were strong in set-pieces, hard to create chances against a Gary Rowett side. Neil Harris back in charge, he knows this club inside out and exactly what this club wants to stand for, values and how they want to play. In the last four games, ten points, impressive away performances, back to their best so it's difficult to create chances. They are dangerous on the counter-attack, at set-pieces, at being compact and competitive. I expect a side nothing to lose after recent results, they will come with confidence and to make it difficult for us. We have to be ready for physical battles and to find good solutions.

Farke on working on the training pitch

In the beginning it was important to calm the load, we were in on Saturday, a proper session for players who didn't play at Sheffield and to analyse the game. We allowed the players to have two days off, even some other players an extra day. It was important to calm the load in terms of concentration and focus. We started to prepare for Millwall, it will be a difficult game, good to have some time on the training pitch. We try to work on our game and adapt a bit our exercises, the key factors for the weekend. I think we have good opportunity to prepare in the best possible way. They're in really good form after Neil [Harris] took over.

Farke on expectant fathers in the squad

Games are coming thick and fast at the moment, also the babies. Football players have some time in the summer, more or less [conceived] at the same time. We need each and every man, it's good we will have some new family members who will support us. It's a bit complicated sometimes, you're with your wife at the hospital, it affects sometimes the training. You can take the altruism of this, a great experience of life.

Farke on team news

Some good news with Jamie and Jaidon Anthony, back available for this game at the weekend. With Pascal Struijk, some bad news, progress to come back into team training was not possible. It's a bit complicated situation with him - he's got a cartilage injury and there are always two ways to treat this injury. Either you go for surgery, if we do this he's out for the season, or the conservative route and go for injection therapy. The doctors hoped this would be beneficial for him. We had to go this route, the cartilage needs some healing, it has progressed but the next 10 days will be decisive.

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