Farke disappointed by Leeds v Sheff Utd scheduling

Leeds United are fifth in the Championship table, three points behind second-placed Sheffield United

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says his side's fixture schedule is "tricky", ahead of Friday's Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United.

It comes as 11 members of his squad have been away on international duty, with some returning too late for a team training session.

Ao Tanaka, Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto are among those who have played for their country as recently as Tuesday, with Brenden Aaronson playing for the USA on Wednesday.

The Whites are fifth in the Championship, three points behind the Blades.

'Diasppointing and sad'

"It's always tricky during the international break for a team with so many players away," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I'm struggling to understand the fixture list, playing on Friday night after the international break.

"We have players who arrive late today. When we play on Saturday, you have at least one training session with the team."

He added: "It is a bit disappointing and sad because [Sheffield United] is a great game.

"It is a bit tricky to prepare without team training, but we want to find good solutions."

Farke said defender Max Wober would miss Friday's match while still recovering from a knee injury, along with long-term injury absentees Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev.

Wingers Dan James and Manor Solomon are back in full training and available after injury.

When asked whether the death of former Sheffield United defender George Baldock would affect the atmosphere of the game, Farke said: "It's always difficult with such a tragedy.

"Our thoughts are there with him and his family; even a few players in our squad have played with him.

"It's not easy to get on with it in the first few days - you're lost for words and football is not important in this moment.

"The life of a human being is always more important than any point."