Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has shared a fitness update ahead of the crucial Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Elland Road. The Whites aim to bounce back after their recent defeat to Arsenal, and Farke’s squad news reveals a mix of positives and concerns.
Farke confirmed that Jaka Bijol and James Justin have both returned to team training, with Bijol’s full recovery still under observation. Justin’s injury proved to be less serious than initially feared, as it was only a bruised toe rather than a fracture, making him available for Friday’s game.
Daniel James is also making encouraging progress in his rehabilitation, though Lukas Nmecha remains sidelined and is unlikely to feature this weekend. The coaching staff hopes Nmecha will return soon, but the striker has not yet resumed training with the group.
The most concerning update involves Anton Stach, who is struggling with hip issues following the last match. Medical advice suggests that Stach will likely be sidelined for 10 to 14 days, meaning he will miss both the Forest fixture and the subsequent game against Chelsea.
Key Player Fitness Updates:
- Jaka Bijol – Back in training; monitoring recovery response
- James Justin – Returned to training; available for selection
- Daniel James – Making solid progress in recovery
- Lukas Nmecha – Not training yet; unlikely for this match
- Anton Stach – Hip injury; expected out for up to two weeks
Farke’s detailed assessment provides crucial insights into squad readiness as Leeds prepare for a challenging run of fixtures. The team’s physical condition could play a significant role in determining performance levels and results in upcoming matches.
