Farke on injuries, a 'positive start' and Rodon's development
- Published
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Elland Road (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Dan James will be "out for 4-6 weeks" after rolling his ankle in training. Farke expects him back after the November international break, calling it a "bonus and surprise" if he can be back before then.
Winger Wilfried Gnonto will also miss Saturday's game with a calf strain. He does not need surgery, but "is still feeling it a little bit".
Farke does not yet know whether Harry Gray will be available as "he reported some problems with his hip flexor".
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri "is back in team training" but this game comes too soon for him. Farke expects him back after the international break.
Despite the negative injury news, Farke said he is "quite happy" with the other options he has in the squad as "many offensive players have stepped up in the last couple of games".
On facing a Thomas Frank squad: "I rate him so much, not just as a manager but as a human being. He was unbelievably successful at Brentford and that has helped him to be established in the Premier League. His teams are always very structured and well coached. For that you must be spot on."
Farke doesn't believe Leeds have an advantage over Spurs given they played in Norway on Tuesday and joked: "Nowadays they don't travel by bicycle or coach, it is a private jet and they have chefs and all sorts!"
On the promising start to the season: "It's good that we have had such a positive start, but it is a long road and we have to make sure we deliver consistency. We want to be able to stay in the league, so we have to keep going."
In response to Joe Rodon having a point to prove after a difficult time in North London: "It is more difficult to play at Tottenham as a relatively young centre-back. He has matured now and grown as a player. I think he is a way better player than he was a few years ago and I think he has proven in the first few games that he can play at this level. So far so good."
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