Leeds United will return to action with a Saturday lunchtime showdown at Southampton, ahead of which Whites boss Daniel Farke is holding his pre-match press conference today
Farke’s side climbed into the Championship’s top six with last Saturday’s impressive 3-0 victory at home to Watford which represented United’s third league win of the season and first at Elland Road. Seven days later, Leeds will face another of last season’s relegated sides on Saturday lunchtime with a 12.30pm kick-off at Southampton.
Russell Martin’s south coast side began life back in the Championship by taking ten points out of an opening possible 12 but the Saints have since slipped to four consecutive defeats and now find themselves sat in 15th place, three points behind sixth-placed Leeds.
Whites boss Farke is holding his pre-match press conference from 1.30pm at Thorp Arch today and we will bring you all of the main news here including injury updates. Leeds still had six players missing for last weekend’s clash against the Hornets in Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo, Stuart Dallas, Willy Gnonto, Djed Spence and the suspended Joe Rodon. Rodon is back available for Saturday’s clash at St Mary’s.
Southampton v Leeds United: Daniel Farke press conference live
That’s it from Farke
Top lines – Bamford is back and in the mix for this weekend. Firpo not ready yet. No other new injuries. Costa will not be involved and will be leaving. Gruev is ready whenever called for.
On Gruev
“For each and every player it is something different when you come to the mother land of English football here. It’s always new for players. So for that it is always normal that he needs a bit of time in terms of language, he is quite impressive though with it. He is a top player and it’s no coincidence that he was involved in the last minutes last weekend. It’s not an emergency case in that position so step by step he can be integrated but I know he is ready to go, he is a humble and top class guy and very grateful too.”
On Southampton
“It’s not a question of if they will bounce back, it’s when, we have to make sure it’s not this weekend. They will give everything and will be highly motivated to change. I am looking forward to the travelling support again, it’s so helpful and beneficial. At Millwall it was like a wall behind us and we want to make our supporters happy.”
On Costa
“Helder’s wish was to have a move and we have also decided he is not in our plans, we want a group where everyone is fully focused and committed. It has all been done professionally. He will not be involved.”
On Russell Martin
“Not too much looking forward because he is a great coach and has a great future in the game. On a personal level it is always great because he was a great player, is a great human being and a great character. I am lookin forward to seeing him but we are aware we are facing a well coached team.”
How has training been this week, Rutter?
“It’s always good for the mood and good for the confidence and you can go into training with a smile. But then you are on it again and working on your different topics. We have to make sure that we are on it again and not enjoying ourselves too much.”
On the Watford display
“We allowed them to have one chance in the 95th minute, I would have preferred not to have given this chance away. We were really good defensively but it’s always better to give no chances away. Possession wise sometimes the balance could have been even better and we missed a few chances at the start but it was a pretty good performance and we take confidence.”
On Bamford
“Patrick is here to help us. He didn’t win the cap for England in the lottery. He’s a quality player. I was pretty impressed with him in pre season. Sadly this injury happened but we are really happy he is back in team training. To have him as an option is definitely good to have him back. He will play quite an important part.”
Other injuries
“Everything is okay so far, Willy until after the next international break, Firpo is not back in training yet. Gnonto had successful surgery and on his way for rehab. Djed Spence also needs time, That’s more or less it.”
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