Leeds United travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon look for their fourth win on the bounce, but have some injury and fitness concerns to deal with once more.
Leeds are top of the league as things stand following their victory over Luton Town on Wednesday evening, opening a two-point gap to third place in the process.
By the time they play on Saturday afternoon, though, they won’t be top of the table, with Sheffield United and Sunderland facing off at Bramall Lane on Friday night.
Leeds team news pre-Blackburn: Sam Byram late fitness test
Sam Byram scored a wonderful bicycle kick to open the scoring against Luton last night, but could only complete around an hour of football before coming off.
The left-back has been nursed through the past 17 months of action since joining Leeds on a free transfer, knowing that his problematic hamstring injuries could flare up if he’s overloaded – and a run of three games in six days is less than ideal for the 31-year-old.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Ewood Park, Daniel Farke discussed Byram’s current fitness after a minor hamstring problem caused him to come off against the Hatters (via LeedsLive):
“Alright. Had a scan. Waiting for results. Late call tomorrow if he travels with us. We have to wait and be patient.”
At full-back, though, Junior Firpo is available following a three-match suspension, missing three successive wins.
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Will Largie Ramazani start away at Blackburn?
Largie Ramazani was a huge boost for Leeds this week as he came on for a late cameo against Luton and impressed in the process.
Despite looking incredibly sharp for that 10-minute outing, Farke was cautious to suggest that a start is coming this Saturday:
“Out for several weeks. Team training for a few days. Had 10 minutes last night. Not a complicated part of the game. Put in a good shift for us.
“Top class player, but he needs time. Not a topic to start this week. Have his magic around him and creative touch is good for us out of nothing on the field. Two days in training will help him a bit.”
Firpo surely set to start away at Blackburn with Byram a doubt
Given that Byram looks a doubt for the game and is awaiting a scan on his hamstring, it would be reasomable to suggest he won’t start on Saturday.
Three starts in six days for him would constistute overload and a real risk to his fitness long-term, so having Firpo back is a huge boost.
Firpo should be starting when he’s fully fit and you’d hope he’s raring to go after missing the last three where we’ve won without him.
What is also encouraging to see is that Max Wöber looks more than good enough to step in at left-back too.
Pascal Struijk quiz – Can Leeds United fans score 15/15?
