Farke on Watford, injuries, contracts and Chambers

Adam Pope

BBC Radio Leeds reporter

10 February 2025

Leeds United visit Watford on Tuesday night looking to extend their lead at the top of the Championship.

Ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road, manager Daniel Farke delivered his pre-match media conference and here are the key lines...

Dan James and Joe Rodon are expected to return after missing the FA Cup loss at home to Millwall with knocks. Defender Max Wober (knee) is out for up to six weeks. Patrick Bamford (hamstring) is set to return to training this week.
Farke says there have been no discussions yet with out of contract trio Sam Byram, Junior Firpo and Josuha Guilavogui whose deals expire at the end of the season. "We'll have some proper conversations when it's time to do this."
Farke was impressed by Sam Chambers, 17, who made his first start on the wing against Millwall: "He has good dynamic and intensity with his runs. We like him a lot, it was not a gift that he was in the starting line-up."
The head coach is impressed by Watford who, like Leeds, almost became the first side to win at Sunderland in the Championship this season after drawing 2-2 at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. He described Tom Cleverley's side as one of the best in the division despite having dropped out of the top six.
Farke added: "Their home record was quite impressive, perhaps not in the last weeks, they had this situation where several key players were not available. They were really difficult to beat, especially in the first half of the season. We travel with respect, but we've proven even in tough places, we're competitive."

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