Millwall vs Leeds United press conference live: Daniel Farke offers fitness update as strong squad expected
and live on Freeview channel 276
Leeds will arrive at Millwall bright and early on Sunday morning, primed for a lunchtime kick-off in the capital. The fixture will pit Farke against opposite number Gary Rowett for the sixth time, the German still in search of his first victory over the wily Lions coach.
In his employ, Farke counts on ex-Millwall loanees Charlie Cresswell and Jamie Shackleton, although the latter is more likely to start than the former.
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Hide AdArchie Gray and Crysencio Summerville remained at Thorp Arch over the international break despite the opportunity to join up with their respective youth international teams and should be fighting fit for Sunday’s encounter at The Den.
Mateo Joseph is back in the fold, whilst Ilia Gruev and Jaidon Anthony have been registered following their arrivals late in the summer transfer window.
Quotes from Farke this afternoon filtering in here. Press conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United press conference LIVE
Farke on Archie Gray’s availability
First of all, he's blessed with unbelievable physicality I have to say, unbelievable endurance and otherwise it wouldn't be possible for a 17-year-old guy on this level to play so many minutes.
We watch him quite carefully to check that there was not too much overload but so far he's done really, really well. He had a minor injury and for that we all decided it's best for him to recover a little bit and also because he's playing so many games on senior level and also like on the top level, I think also for his individual development it wouldn't be too beneficial if he plays too many games more or less on youth level but the biggest problem was more the minor injury and it was good that we gave him a few days off to let that settle but then also during this week he was able to be there back in the team training.
Farke on Poveda’s off-field issues
I respect my players as being human beings and also mature and they have a private life. Obviously I always prefer when in their private life everything's okay, but like all human beings is also professional. We all have sometimes our times when it's also a bit tough for us due to private reasons or whatever. And then we still have to keep going in our job. So again, it's also like I asked him to be professional and to concentrate on the hard work.
It always helps to concentrate on your work especially have to concentrate on football to be together there with your teammates and do what you love to because we all love to play and work in football and for that it won't affect us. it won't affect us too much.
If I sense this anyhow on the training pitch or something like this, yes, I would react but I have not sensed anything at all and all my players who are there are available.