Leeds United

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Championship game against Coventry City on Saturday (15:00 BST):

• Ilia Gruev (ankle) may be fit to return but Jamie Shackleton (adductor) will be missing for two weeks. Otherwise, it will be the same squad available that faced Hull City on Monday. Wilfried Gnonto, Connor Roberts, Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas remain sidelined.

• On how close the call is to start striker Mateo Joseph ahead of Patrick Bamford: "It's important we're not driven by emotions and put too much weight on a 20-year-old's shoulders. He has affected games so far and it's good to have this player. It's also important to have experienced players on the pitch like Patrick, who works hard to close defenders down and create space."

• On what Leeds miss without Gruev and what 17-year-old midfielder Charlie Crew brings to the squad: "Ilia is important for our rhythm, sometimes to calm the game down or sweep it up. He's precise and great with his passing. He's tidy on the ball and wants to have it under pressure. As for Charlie, he plays in a similar role, perhaps a bit more offensive. It's not a gift why he has been involved. We see him as a high-potential young player but there is still a long way to go."

• What sort of game does Farke expect against Coventry, who are aiming to reach the play-offs? He said: "If you want to be successful against a really good side you have to show compactness. If you lose your nerve and open up and feel you have to overrun them in the first five minutes, it never works. It's not a do or die game like a cup competition in which you have to win."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, PA Media

"You can speak to any first-team player at any level and they will all be able to remember their FA Youth Cup games because you only get two years at it," said Leeds United Under-18s coach Rob Etherington before Thursday's semi-final against Millwall at Elland Road (19:00 BST).

The affable Etherington, who has spent almost 11 years at the club in various roles, spoke to BBC Radio Leeds, external about his pride representing Leeds as his team attempts to reach the final of a competition which the Whites won in 1993 and 1997.

Etherington, 32, is fully aware of the club's history and the significance of this moment.

"Any professional player has experiences in the FA Youth Cup, it's something that everybody goes through," he said. "It's something that first-team players in particular can relate to. I've bumped into a couple around the training ground and it sparks interest and conversation because everyone can go back to their experiences they've had."

After beating Liverpool at home in the quarter-final, following three victorious away ties at Norwich, Brighton and Sheffield United, Etherington is confident his side can overcome Millwall in front of a 10,000-plus crowd at Elland Road.

"The strategy and objective is to build this occasion up as much as possible and add as much pressure we can, but also scaffolding that with the relevant support as much as possible. That for me is a massive part of their development. If they're going to walk out at Elland Road in front of 36,000, they've got to know how to win football games, what winning football games feels like and what it looks like."

The winners of the tie will face Manchester City in the final on 4 May.

• Read more: Millwall's pride of Lions pursuing Youth Cup glory

Image source, Getty Images

The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet panel were full of praise for Leeds forward Georginio Rutter after another impressive performance in Monday's vital 3-1 win over Hull City.

The Frenchman offered defensive solidity and versatility as well as creating his side's opener with a wonderful snaking run that saw him beat four players in midfield.

"He was immense," said BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope.

"I think he took three players out of the game just with a switch of the hips - Shakira style. Before the game Neil Redfearn specifically said it will be so important what Georginio Rutter does without the ball.

"From minute one defensively he was in at right-back helping Sam Byram out, helping Joe Rodon out. I thought he was incredible.

"For someone whose had that operation - and you could tell he was struggling a bit in the first half at Watford - I thought it was full Georgie to the point where he thought 'I can't shoot so I won't' and offloaded shots to other people."

"I thought Georgie had a great game, he was really good defensively nicking the ball back and stuff," added Kaiser Chief's bassists Simon Rix.

"Great movement for the first goal. He created that in his own way."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

It's a special episode of My Mate's A Footballer this week as Patrick welcomes Joe to Leeds' training ground for a spot of free-kick practice.

Guests turn up to watch their training drill and Joe gets to ask the striker if in fact footballers appreciate the life they get to lead.

The full episode is here

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

The irony of the start of British Summer Time is that as the elements are meant to melt in the sunshine and signify lazy, hazy months ahead, the real season for football supporters is nothing of the sort.

The Easter weekend is packed with action, fraught with nerves and high on emotion. Leeds United v Hull City was exactly such.

The Tigers were as technically and tactically astute as any team that has visited Elland Road this campaign. Although United created the better chances they were passed through and around far too often in a first half where possession was firmly in the grasp pf Liam Rosenior's side. Whites' manager Daniel Farke rectified the imbalance after the break as his side were charged with being more aggressive in possession to counteract the jeopardy posed to an unbeaten home record.

Sam Byram scoring with a header - which he said came off his teeth - had stopped the nervous grinding of 36,000 sets of others in the stadium, that was until Fabio Carvalho levelled at least.

But Inspired by Georginio Rutter, who is defying medicine by returning to his shimmying best swiftly after hernia surgery, and the rejuvenated Crysencio Summerville, United produced the quality which separates them from the rest of the Championship in key moments to take hold of the scoreline.

The coup de grace was Dan James' precision ping of a half volley from halfway which was exquisite. In that moment everyone felt sheer joy in seeing a player produce such a remarkable piece of skill having suffered heartache with his country a week previously

Amid all of this captivating encounter those of us present witnessed a very uplifting experience - a sign that the fight to eradicate tragedy chanting is being won.

It was superb to see the memories of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were so respectfully observed by the club, its supporters and those from Hull City both inside and outside Elland Road in the week in which their tragic deaths in Istanbul are remembered 24 years on.

There were nerves and opinions when Crysencio Summerville took the ball from Joel Piroe to take the decisive penalty in Leeds United's win over Hull City on Monday.

But what did the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet team think?

• Listen to the BBC Radio Leeds podcast in full on BBC Sounds

Leeds United's Archie Gray is being watched by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, alongside a host of Premier League sides. (HITC, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Kalvin Phillips "looks like a guy at the end of his tether" and the midfielder needs to find a suitable club this summer that can get the best out of him.

"There is an outstanding footballer in there," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He needs regular game time, but where will that be?

"Maybe he will end up back at Leeds, as it is a place where he feels at home and gets full support.

"He seems like a thoroughly decent guy so for his sake, he needs to find a home again and feel wanted.

"He looks like a guy at the end of his tether and like a fish out of water."

Listen to the Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

As Dan James launched Leeds United's third goal into Hull City's vacated net from the halfway line in injury time, the Welshman clawed some confidence back from his international heartbreak.

James' goal also confirmed Leeds broke a run of seven defeats in a row when they played on Easter Monday.

Battered, bullied, bruised and nearly broken, United had the lowest first-half percentage of possession at home in a Championship game since June 2020 against Fulham. This was not a vintage performance, but there were mitigating circumstances.

Glen Kamara was ill, Joe Rodon was on painkillers for a back spasm. At half-time, Sam Byram told Daniel Farke he could not sprint any more. Only six fit Leeds players could train before Monday's game. This squad is fatigued.

But the mark of a great team is getting results despite adversity. Fans have seen many previous Leeds squads crumble over Easter – but through illness and injuries this Leeds side succeeded where others failed.

Farke has a precious week with his squad to recharge his team before another three games in eight days.

The schedule is relentless, but – still unbeaten in the league this year – Leeds keep finding a way to win.

Adonis Storr can be found at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds United hope to re-sign 28-year-old England midfielder Kalvin Phillips for about £30m from Manchester City this summer, if the Whites secure promotion back to the Premier League. (Sun), external

Tottenham have joined the race to sign Leeds United's 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray, with Liverpool also interested in the England Under-21 international. (Football Insider), external

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

Image source, PA Media

The Championship resumes on Friday and with most teams having eight matches to play, the race for automatic promotion could hardly be closer.

Only one point separates leaders Leeds United, Leicester City and Ipswich Town, and while fourth-placed Southampton may be eight points adrift of third spot, they have games in hand on the sides above them.

Before Friday's game at Watford (20:00 GMT), Leeds supporter Heidi Haigh told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a breath of fresh air after last season. We've got a team now who want to play for the shirt, they want to play for the fans, they're enjoying their football and they're making us enjoy our football again.

"Last year was absolutely dire and I knew by Christmas we were going down [from the Premier League]. There's a different vibe about the club and with the fans. We're all enjoying the ride and it'll take us where it's going to take us."

Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford puts comedian and podcast co-host Joe Wilkinson's football skills to the test at the Championship club's training ground.

Listen to the latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Gary asked: As a Leeds fan, I was wondering how you liked your time at Elland Road?

Michael replied: I enjoyed the challenge and I had a great rapport with the supporters.

It was at times a difficult situation because of the manager change and different owners, but we had great fun.

It was a brilliant environment to work in and I thoroughly enjoy it when I get to go back to Leeds United now.

It was at the latter end of my career and I wish I could have done it a little bit earlier. As players we steadied the ship of uncertainty and it was a good group.

It is great to see Leeds doing well this season and hopefully we will see them back in the Premier League because that is where they need to be.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Top of the Championship, Leeds United look well placed to bounce straight back to the Premier League, but would their squad be capable of succeeding where they failed last season?

Former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson tells The Football News Show why Daniel Farke's side are already in position to make a better fight of the top flight than the team that were relegated.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United's Archie Gray says it has been "a crazy" season for him playing as a versatile midfielder and right-back.

Gray has made 36 Championship appearances this season and only turned 18 two weeks ago.

Daniel Farke moved the teen to right-back after an injury crisis and Gray has since played almost exclusively in that position.

"I am still wary of getting ahead of myself because that is not my usual position," said Gray on the My Mate's A Footballer podcast. "I am not really bothered about where I play. I just want to play games.

"The boss asked me if I had ever played a game at right-back and I said yes, but only in one game at under-15 level! Then that weekend I went and sat in the meeting room and I saw I was not playing. But then someone tapped me and started laughing. So I looked at the sheet again and saw I was playing right-back!

"I would probably be all right with playing there for the rest of my career. If I am playing then I am totally fine with it, but then when you switch back to the midfield it feels weird."

Gray's versatility caught the eyes of Lee Carsley, who recently called him up for the England Under-21s to play alongside Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Chelsea's Noni Madueke.

He made his debut as a substitute against Azerbaijan and scored within five minutes of being on the pitch.

Promoted to start against Luxembourg, Gray was used at right-back and finished his international stint with one goal and one assist.

Listen to the My Mate's A Footballer podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United winger Dan James would "feel a bit gutted" to miss out on automatic promotion but knows the top three teams are very "tight".

The Whites are top of the Championship table and level on points with Leicester City, but the Foxes have a game in hand. Breathing down their necks are Ipswich Town, with just one point separating the three teams.

"It would be gutting to miss out on the top two," James said on the latest episode of the My Mate's A Footballer Podcast. "Hopefully we don't have to go through that, but we would have to get on with it and get ready for play-offs.

"The teams that finish fifth and sixth go into those games buzzing, but we would feel a bit gutted."

Listen to the My Mate's A Footballer Podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds forward Patrick Bamford and comedian Joe Wilkinson have spent almost an entire podcast series speaking to each other but are yet to meet in person. Until now.

The latest episode of BBC Sounds' My Mate's A Footballer takes place at the Whites' Thorp Arch training ground as Wilkinson lines up a free-kick and wanders round the complex chatting to all the players he meets.

Listen now on BBC Sounds