Leeds United have been handed a boost with the return of Daniel James (pictured) and Manor Solomon to first-team training.
Manager Daniel Farke revealed the pair who missed a handful of matches before the international break through injury had been involved in “major parts” of team training ahead of Friday’s match against Sheffield United.
James, 26, has not played for Leeds since August’s 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday after being sidelined with a hamstring injury while 25-year-old Solomon was ruled out with hamstring and back complaints after the 1-0 defeat to Burnley in September.
Long-term absentees Ilia Gruev, Max Wober and Ethan Ampadu remain on the sidelines with various knee complaints.
Club captain Ampadu is not expected to me match fit until January while he recovers from a lateral ligament issue while Gruev underwent surgery last week after suffering a significant meniscus injury against Norwich City before the international break.
Wober is the closest of the three to a return having undergone surgery on his knee to rectify an injury picked up on duty with Austria in September. Farke said the central defender was “ahead of schedule” in his recovery and could be in contention before the next international break in November.
Other than the three known absences, Farke is optimistic of a clean bill of health among the first team players returning from international duty.
During the two week break since Leeds’ last game against Sunderland, Farke has been casting his eye over free agents as options to provide depth in defensive midfield.
Among them are former Crystal Palace, West Ham and Nottingham Forest midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate.
“I spoke about the situation before,” Farke said. “I never confirm names and I will not speak about a player not under contract to us or are free agents. We are short in numbers. Injuries in midfield left us looking at the free agents and I can confirm that we had a deeper look at guests in the last days here.
“We need to add experience and they need to accept when our key men come back they are the first choices. They have to accept they are back-up solutions. They should want to help our young players.
“We need someone who has that right mentality. This is what we are searching for. I am carefully optimistic we will add someone in the next days or weeks.”
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
