The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 2nd November) Trio should be fit for crunch game
Good Morning. It's Thursday 2nd November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Trio should be fit for crunch game
Daniel Farke has issued an encouraging injury update, ahead of Friday nights crunch match at the King Power Stadium.
Joe Rodon, Crysencio Summerville and Sam Byram all picked up knocks during Leeds 4-1 demolition of Huddersfield Town, and were duly substituted. With less than a week to recover, it was assumed that the gaffer may have to make a number of unforced changes, but, all three returned to full training yesterday, and barring a relapse, should be be fit to start.
"There were a few players with a few concerns - Joe Rodon, Sam Byram, Cree Summerville. During the last game, I substituted all three of them. We took care of them yesterday so they were just involved in parts of the team training but were able to train today in the full session, so if there's no reaction they are all free and available. Definitely good news."
Is Cooper adequate cover at CB
Leeds fans are breathing a sigh of relief after hearing that Joe Rodon has overcome his knock, and should be fit to start on Friday night, against top of the table Leicester City; but what if he had been ruled out for several months?
The automatic replacement would obviously be Liam Cooper, followed by Messrs Ayling and Byram, with Cresswell trailing a long way behind. The gulf between Roden, and the best of the rest seems immense, and a clear weakness in the Leeds squad.
Do Leeds need to invest in another centre-back in January, or can they plug any defensive gaps with the squad they already have. What's the point of offering the likes of Ayling and Cooper new contracts if they are past their best? They are multi-millionaires who have been making more in a fortnight, than most of us make in a year! Is there any room for sentiment?
Summerville rated second best player in the Championship
Crysencio Summerville is the second best player in the Championship according to new data from Whoscored.
The Dutch wizard has had a blistering start to life in the Championship, showing his teammates the way forward with six goals, four assists and five man of the match performances, giving him an average rating of 7.75, just behind Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (7.79).
Former White Jack Clarke is third on 7.67; fourth is Hull City's Jaden Philogene (7.50) and Gabriel Sara (Norwich City) is in 5th place on 7.45, just ahead of Georginio Rutter on 7.43.