15/5/24 Daniel Farke on why Daniel James could be Leeds United's 'lucky charm' in the play-offs against Norwich City — Yorkshire Post

By Stuart Rayner

DANIEL FARKE has described Daniel James' role in Leeds United's Championship play-off semi-final first leg as mainly that of "lucky charm" as he weighs up what the winger can bring to the second leg.

Having not played since the victory over Middlesbrough because of a costal cartilage injury and an oblique abdominal muscle tear, the Hull-born player was held back until the 85th minute at Carrow Road on Sunday, but he made a good impression when he came on, robbing Christian Fassnacht of the ball and putting over a cross his team-mates should have been more alert to.

One would expect James to be capable of more in Thursday's second leg at Elland Road, although the decision will be made more complicated by the fact the game could end in 90 minutes or 120.

"With Daniel it was a tricky situation because he had just one full training session with us and he'd been injured for three weeks," commented manager Farke. "Until the injury is completely healed every day is beneficial for him.

"My thought was just to have him with us. He's a lucky charm if I'm honest.

"If you look left to a player with the calibre of Daniel James is always good for the mood and the confidence but in the 85th minute I got the feeling it was a good idea to send him on the pitch. He was not scared and I'm happy he got through without being re-injured.

"It's also good for his confidence to have a few minutes in the tank."

Leeds were lacking something up front in the first leg with Georginio Rutter looking out of sorts leading the line in the absence of the injured Patrick Bamford, and Archie Gray having more defensive responsibilities than players in the "hole" of Leeds' 4-2-3-1 formation usually do.

Although Willy Gnonto was substituted shortly after being accidentally caught in the head by Borja Sainz, the Italian is not a doubt for Thursday.

Farke, though, was pleased with what all his attacking substitutes brought.

"Jaidon (Anthony) also looked lively and Joel (Piroe) was there with a goal in the last game and perhaps he expected to start but they all put their individual thoughts away and put a shift in for the whole team," he said.

Explaining why Gnonto came off, Farke said: "He had some bruises and was bleeding a little bit but we also have to keep in mind, especially with the offensive players, the need to be fresh to work their magic with an important game on Thursday and we had good options.

"Willy was also booked. There was one incident when Sainz fouled him, he got a free-kick and pretended to get hit. Norwich are a very experienced side and they perhaps thought a 20-year-old international could perhaps be provoked and I didn't want to take this risk.

"No complaints about Norwich because if you're an experienced side you have to play these cards but I didn't want to take any risks because we need Willy to be in good shape.

"I thought he played quite well but after 70 minutes in hot temperatures, I thought it was the right choice."