Farke on Bamford, Boro, fire and fatigue
- Published
Leeds United's final six games of the regular Championship season begin at play-off chasing Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
Here are the key points from Leeds boss Daniel Farke's pre-match media conference:
The German boss revealed defender Pascal Struijk (foot) will miss the game and Saturday's visit of Preston. If there is a fracture, his season will be over.
Midfielder Joe Rothwell (calf) will hopefully be available for the final two games while Mateo Joseph has recovered from illness and is fit to play.
It would not be "natural" to play Patrick Bamford from the start at his former club Boro after his "beneficial" cameo against Luton - his first appearance in three months - but Farke said the striker's availability was "always important".
Farke says it is vital the "fire burns" within supporters and players during the "crunch time of the season" but that Leeds have to "stay calm and cool".
He added he has to be "more there for the players" when they make mistakes and provide "some coolness" to "protect my players" from any negativity.
The Leeds boss labelled Middlesbrough a "really good side" but added: "If we are ourselves we will be successful."
Farke dismissed any notion of tiredness within the squad: "I'm not a believer in speaking about tiredness because if you speak about it, you feel it. I look at Jaidon Anthony at Burnley who's played nearly every game but got a brace (at Coventry on Saturday)."
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