Leeds United

Leeds United would be interested in Liverpool and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher if they are promoted to the Premier League, but the 26-year-old could look elsewhere. (Team Talk), external

Leeds forward Patrick Bamford, 31, is attracting interest from Serie A club Genoa and League One side Wrexham, but the Englishman is unlikely to leave in January with manager Daniel Farke wanting attacking depth for a promotion push. (Team Talk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Here's some more from Daniel Farke's press conference ahead of the weekend's game against Oxford United.

How aware is Farke of interest in any of his players ahead of the transfer window?

"Even when there is interest, we have calmed everything down," Farke said.

"We are in such a crucial period, and we want all our players to focus on us right now.

"We want the whole squad to be focused on these next five games.

"After 4 January, there will be an FA Cup weekend and then we can speak about everything else if we do something in January.

"Until then, there won't be any decisions and we just want to focus on winning as many games as possible."

Farke says he is not under pressure to sell players to help the club's PSR situation in January:

"I don't think we need to earn any more money," he said.

"We earned more money than any club in Western Europe.

"It's important for us to be sustainable after some difficult years in terms of spending.

"You have to stick to the rules and there is a moment when you have to sell some players after perhaps over-spending. It was beneficial for the long-term picture.

We had to rebuild but overall, I think it was beneficial.

"We are a healthy club right now and so no pressure to do anything. We can't spend a fortune but there is no need to do anything in terms of earning more money."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00 GMT, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United host Oxford United on Saturday looking for a ninth consecutive home win in the Championship.

Here are some snippets from Daniel Farke's pre-game press conference.

Team news:

Farke says defender Pascal Struijk is rated as 50-50 for the match after suffering a hamstring injury. The centre-back has not trained for two days.

Fellow defender Max Wober has a small chance of being fit after suffering swelling to his knee.

Junior Firpo (hamstring) and Illia Gruev (knee) remain sidelined.

Farke added he hoped Gruev would return to training at some point in January.

On their away form in which they have tended to concede the first goal:

"I think there is not one reason, otherwise it would be easy to change," Farke said.

"We are also a young side, we spoke about the aggressiveness and excitement that has to be on the top level in away games.

"We are not good enough to go into a game at 98%.

"In a tricky away game decisions are sometimes not easy to accept when there should be a red card or something - in our last away game it was a bit the case.

"The sharpness of how we start could have been more on it."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00 GMT, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds will seek to keep the pressure on Championship leaders Sheffield United when they return to Elland Road to face Oxford United.

The U's remain winless on the road this season and parted ways with Des Buckingham earlier this week while Daniel Farke's men go in search of a ninth straight home win.

• This is the first time that Leeds United and Oxford United are meeting in the Football League since March 1990, a match during which the Whites ran out 4-2 winners.

• Oxford have failed to win any of their three prior away league games against Leeds (D1 L2), with their last trip to Elland Road ending in a 2-1 defeat in September 1989.

• Leeds have won each of their past eight home league games in succession by a combined score line of 20-2, while so far this season, no team has won more home matches than the Whites (9) across England's top four tiers.

• Oxford have failed to win any of their nine away league games in the Championship this season (D2 L7), with their last away victory at this level coming back in March 1999 during a 2-1 win against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

• This season in the Championship, Leeds have scored the most goals (37), have the highest xG (36.5) and have had the most shots (344), while Oxford are bottom for shots attempted with 191.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United duo Dan James and Joe Rodon say they are keen to carry their impressive home form into away games.

The Whites are the joint-strongest team at home along with Sheffield United, picking up 28 points from 11 games at Elland Road where they have now won eight on the bounce.

But Daniel Farke's side are eighth in the away form table with 14 points from 10 games and just three wins on the road (D5 L2).

"We've had great home form this season and we always want it to be tough when people come to our place," James told BBC's Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast ahead of the visit of Oxford United on Saturday.

"We need to keep that going, but we need to win away from home as well."

Rodon said Leeds "want to win every game" but every team in the Championship "offers a different challenge".

"It's more just about being consistent, being together as a team, making more chances and being more ruthless and clinical," he said.

"The last couple of away games, we conceded in the first half so that's something we've looked at and something we want to try and change and limit.

"And overall, just be very consistent as we are at home and turn that into away games."

James said scoring the first goal in a game is crucial to then go on to score more and "dominate" teams.

"I don't think we've been as good away at doing that," James added. "That's something we want to improve on."

Listen to the full interview with Dan James and Joe Rodon on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Rex Features

Eighth in the Championship's away form league table, compared to top of the one on home soil, is quite the disparity.

Leeds United's inability to reflect their dominance at Elland Road on their travels is concerning many, despite the overall combination - 28 + 14 = 42 - providing a two points per game average which should guarantee promotion.

The late equaliser at Preston North End on Saturday, welcome as it was, had been preceded by a swell of disgruntlement from the large away following in the Bill Shankly kop. Another groundhog was having its day, just like at Millwall and Blackburn Rovers.

Leeds have built up such a reputation at home that teams genuinely fear coming to LS11. Nine victories and 25 goals from 11 fixtures has seen Daniel Farke's side, for the most part, patiently dismantle teams who often arrive bent out of their normal shape to try and absorb the blows coming their way. A mild beating is better than a total battering, I suppose, before stepping back onto the bus home.

So why is there not the same fear factor when the big boy of the division rocks up in someone else's back yard? They have won eight straight home games but it is now just one win from the past seven matches on the road.

"We need to find a better excitement level for this kind of game," says Farke.

"Obviously Elland Road is rocking and buzzing from the start, the players are in more excitement mode. We need to make this happen in away games. It is important we learn as we're not good enough to cruise easily through this league."

There are dozens of cures for travel sickness apparently. They include pills, ginger, breathing techniques, distracting yourself by listening to music or concentrating on a fixed point... promotion possibly?

Maybe a tin of fruit-flavoured boiled sweets coated in sugar stashed in the glove compartment is the answer. That was my mum's remedy for queasiness when feeling a bit dodgy in the back seat.

Someone should mention it to the club's coach driver Brian ahead of the next trip back from Deepdale or wherever... and by the way, Farke definitely knows his name.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

When the sore bodies departed the Deepdale turf on Saturday afternoon after just scraping a draw, Leeds United knew they had been in a game.

Bullied for most of a match they dominated despite trailing, Daniel Farke's side displayed all their frustrating frailties, but also the courage to claw back an equaliser at the death.

But it was a difficult watch for Leeds fans, because we have seen this script before. A goal down from the first shot on target conceded, with Illan Meslier beaten at his near post, Brenden Aaronson and Patrick Bamford missing easy chances and Farke throwing on every attacking player within the local postcode.

"We have a young side and they were criticised when they lost two away games 1-0 and were not able to equalise, but to deal again with this challenge and to do it much better than, for example at Blackburn, this delights me," said the Leeds manager in a post-Preston interview.

Against Blackburn and Millwall, Leeds were outfought in losing 1-0. Even the idea of being outfought is anathema to a club whose legendary captain Billy Bremner had the famous motto of "keep fighting".

Much of Saturday felt like a rerun of the Blackburn and Millwall games. Preston fought for everything, seemed to play the referee at times, employed the 'dark arts', wasted time and constantly frustrated Leeds.

When United were last promoted they had a team full of players who simply would not be bullied by anyone: Mateusz Klich, Gaetano Berardi, Kalvin Phillips, Gjanni Alioski etc. Is this Leeds squad too nice?

Farke was right, Leeds didn't give up, and they got their equaliser in the end. But in a league this tight, this young side must grow up fast, and find their fight.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external.

Leeds United had to settle for a 1-1 draw at struggling Preston North End on Saturday.

It could have been worse but for an injury-time own goal by Preston's Jack Whatmough.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix dissect the result and Leeds' away form this season.

Episode 132 of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is out now and you can find it on the BBC Sounds app or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom said Leeds United were within their rights to be upset that Ben Whiteman wasn't sent off in their 1-1 draw on Saturday.

The Lilywhites skipper was booked after 32 minutes for a foul on Brenden Aaronson but avoided a second yellow for a robust challenge on Jayden Bogle four minutes later.

Heckingbottom substituted Whiteman at half-time, fearing the midfielder would eventually be dismissed.

"Definitely," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire when asked if he can understand why the Whites were unhappy with the decision.

"Straight after that, [Wilfired] Gnonto's running past him and players are clever, especially ball-carrying players that draw in the foul.

"I thought Ben did extremely well there not to make another one. The only decision was do I wait until half-time to do it? So, it was important that we made that change."

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was booked for his protests in the aftermath of Whiteman's tackle on Bogle but felt his caution was unfair.

Having taken the lead through Brad Potts in the 23rd minute, Preston conceded an equaliser in added time when Jack Whatmough prodded Dan James' cross into his own net.

"I don't want to judge the performance of the referee because actually I have a really good relationship with John [Busby] and rate him," Farke told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Obviously I was annoyed with the yellow card against myself. Whiteman was on a yellow and then there was a nasty tackle with a straight leg. It felt like at least a yellow card because it was a decisive foul and a nasty foul.

"I'm not sitting here after the game claiming for red cards but I can also see the reaction, he was substituted at half-time by Paul - an experienced manager, he knows what he has to do in such a moment.

"It would've meant we played against 10 men. I think it would've been a decisive moment of the game. I'm allowed to ask why is it not a yellow card."

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Farke is challenging his players to find the right "excitement level" away from home.

Leeds needed an 93rd-minute equaliser to salvage a draw at Preston North End, which saw them slip three points behind leaders Sheffield United.

They have won eight straight home games as the foundation of their promotion push, but it is now just one win from their past seven matches on the road.

And they have failed to score in three of their past five away matches.

"We need to find a better excitement level for this kind of game," said boss Farke.

"Obviously Elland Road is rocking and buzzing from the start, the players are in a more excitement mode. We need to make this happen in away games, when maybe the pitch isn't perfect and not each and every decision goes our way.

"It is important we learn as we're not good enough to cruise easily through this league."

"Don't worry, we've found the ball."

Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford tells the story of how then Derby County manager Steve McClaren reacted when he attempted 'the wobble ball' during an afternoon kick-off.

Listen to the full series of 'My Mate's A Footballer' on BBC Sounds

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke says a late decision will be taken on whether Ethan Ampadu can play at Preston in the Championship on Saturday lunchtime.

The club captain appeared as a late substitute during Tuesday's win over Middlesbrough having been out for more than 10 weeks with a knee injury.

"He is my most important player but that does not mean he can play every minute just yet," Farke said, at his pre-match press conference.

"You can't expect after just one week of team training that he starts where he was before his injury. He needs time, you have to shake off the rust - but he's in contention."

Leeds will also check on the fitness of defenders Jayden Bogle, Max Wober and Sam Byram before confirming their squad for the trip to Deepdale.

Farke is particularly concerned about Wober, who is only four games into a comeback after three months out.

"Is Max capable of playing three games in seven days after such a long period out?" Farke said.

"His knee was swollen after the last game - it has settled down and I hope he is available."

Preston welcome Leeds United to Deepdale on Saturday after picking up their first win in 11 games when they beat Cardiff 2-0 on Wednesday night.

The Whites also picked up three points in midweek in their 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

Victory for Paul Heckingbottom's side could put further daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, while Leeds are looking to continue their push for automatic promotion.

• Preston North End have won just two of their past 13 league games against Leeds United (D4 L7), though both victories during that time have come at Deepdale including a 2-1 success last season.

• Leeds United will be looking to avoid losing successive away league games against Preston North End for the first time since October 2006 under Dennis Wise.

• Five of Preston's past eight league games at Deepdale have ended in a draw (W2 L1), including each of their previous three matches.

• Leeds have lost two of their past three away league games (W1), as many as in their previous 16 such games (W8 D6).

• Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom has won both previous home games in the EFL against sides he's previously managed, beating Barnsley 2-1 with Leeds in April 2018 and the Tykes against with Sheffield United in March 2022 2-0.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds vice-captain Pascal Struijk says the Championship leaders displayed "great character" in the win over Middlesbrough that took them back top of the table.

After Willy Gnonto's opener for the hosts, the visitors equalised in the second half when Leeds defender Max Wober headed a Boro corner into his own net.

But the Whites responded to win 3-1 through goals from Dan James and Brenden Aaronson - and Struijk was particularly pleased with the resilience his side demonstrated throughout a tricky second half.

"It was an unlucky own goal but the reaction shows great character," Struijk told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's [then] about being solid, not conceding and we did great.

"Then we catch them on the counter attack - like they did sometimes in the first half to us - and we scored good goals from that."

It was the league leaders' eighth straight win at home and Struijk believes those in the stands at Elland Road play a huge part in their success.

"They were helping us when we lost the ball to make sure we have a reaction and then try to get involved when we aren't paying attention," Struijk added.

"The support that we have here is amazing and it's also a big reason why we are doing so well at home."

You can listen to the full post-match interview on BBC Sounds.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick is the latest Championship head coach to put a tape measure across the perceived gulf between his side and Leeds United.

The unit of measurement: the difference in the respective levels of top flight experience between Leeds and his players, who were eventually overwhelmed 3-1 by Daniel Farke's men at Elland Road on Tuesday.

"We've played against players who've played a lot of Premier League football," said Carrick after the match during which Boro had a 20-minute spell in which they bridged the gap before Leeds reasserted their superiority.

Statistically speaking Carrick is not wrong. The United players who either started or came on have amassed more than 500 appearances between them at the highest level, with Illan Meslier and Dan James accounting for more than 200 of them.

Boro's total Premier League experience of those who took part at Elland Road was limited to a handful of matches for Ben Doak and George Edmundson, who are on loan from Liverpool and Ipswich Town respectively.

But does that mean Leeds United are a side and a club completely out of place in the Championship?

Farke does not think so and said earlier this week: "We are miles off being labelled a Premier League side, there is no doubt about this.

"Two years ago we were hopeless on Premier League level. Then in the summer we lost our best players. Everyone was fearing the worst.

"It was more or less the same this past summer. I wouldn't say we're miles ahead of Burnley or Sheffield United, who were in the Premier League last season."

Boro arrived as one of the form outfits in this division. Over the past 10 games they have scored 24 times, which is five more than United, who are second in that particular chart.

So maybe it was no surprise they had the temerity to have a go at Leeds in their own backyard, where they dished out a rare bloody nose by equalising after half-time.

Farke praised Carrick for the way Boro attacked the contest rather than taking a 'though shall not pass' approach.

And a contest it had become after the break because United had failed to improve whatever your choice of algorithm is to reflect big chances, be it xGs or onion bags being filled.

Leeds were ahead but not by enough, thanks to Willy Gnonto blocking into the net Boro keeper Seny Dieng's attempt to clear away from his line.

Boro fashioned a leveller, which their period of dominance deserved, even if it left Max Wober scratching the same head which powered home Dan Barlaser's corner from the near post into his own net.

James is now 100 games, largely to the good, in for Leeds and celebrated with a fine hit after a miss, while Brenden Aaronson secured the points after a tireless night of running. It was a deserved victory and the scoreline reflected it.

The way Farke wrestled back the flow of the game was a credit to his tactics, substitutions and not least his players for their resilience and rapid response to adversity.

Midfielder Joe Rothwell put in another stand-out performance and in doing so showed it does not matter how many Premier League games you have played once you drop out of it - if you are not prepared to put the hard yards in to recover the ball, as well as show courage on it, the Championship's grizzled grinders will show little respect for the upper echelon's Fancy Dans.

All of the names on the scoresheet against Middlesbrough have indeed played at the highest level in England, where their experience has arguably been largely negative with relegation the lasting bitter taste.

Tuesday night indicated they have what it takes to give themselves and Leeds a second chance to climb back up there. Only then can they prove if they can cope.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United and Middlesbrough clash at Elland Road on Tuesday night in a game that sees two sides vying for promotion lock horns.

The Whites have won seven games in a row on home soil and have lost just twice in their previous 14 overall (W9 D3) - both of which were 1-0 defeats at Millwall and Blackburn respectively.

Boro have scored 19 goals in their past six games, winning four, losing one and drawing one at Burnley last time out.

• Leeds United have won each of their past four league games against Middlesbrough, scoring 3+ goals in three of those matches. It's their longest ever such winning run over Boro.

• Middlesbrough have failed to win any of their past eight away league games against Leeds (D2 L6), failing to score more than one goal in seven of those matches at Elland Road.

• This will be Leeds' 50th home league game against Middlesbrough, with the Yorkshire outfit scoring 1.96 goals on average across their prior meetings with Boro on home soil.

• Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath scored a brace in both league meetings with Leeds last season, although ended up on the losing side both times (3-2 away, 4-3 home).

• Leeds' Daniel Farke has won seven of his eight league games against Middlesbrough (D1), his most wins against a single opponent as a Championship manager.

On this week's Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, the team discuss what Leeds boss Daniel Farke might do in midfield when club captain Ethan Ampadu returns to full fitness.

The Wales international has been out since September because of a knee injury and, in his absence, on-loan Joe Rothwell and Japan international Ao Tanaka have impressed.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.