Leeds United managed to bring in two more signings on deadline day, much improving the squad’s depth in midfield and at full-back, but Dan James thinks another back-up player is “great”.
A no.10 might not have been signed but Isaac Schmidt comes in to provide competition for Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo alongside Sam Byram. Four players for two positions at full-back, which Farke wants.
Ao Tanaka joins Joe Rothwell in being signed this summer as midfield cover after losing Archie Gray and Glen Kamara. Leeds now look well-stocked all over the park, apart from the options in the no.10 position.
Leeds have a solid second XI behind the starting side and an obvious member of that is Karl Darlow. The 33-year-old is firmly second choice at Leeds behind Illan Meslier, but has just won his first Wales cap.
James only found out that Darlow can play for Wales recently
Leeds signed Darlow in Farke’s first summer at Elland Road, brought in from Newcastle as competition for Meslier. The latter is still first choice but Darlow is probably among the best second-choice goalkeepers.
Reports emerged that Darlow could be called-up by new Wales manager Craig Bellamy ahead of fixtures against Turkey and Montenegro in the Nations League. Now, Darlow’s call-up has been confirmed.
Speaking to PA Sport as per the YEP, James heaped praise on Leeds goalkeeper and Wales teammate Darlow: “Karl’s a great friend of mine but I only found out recently that he was qualified to play for Wales.
“He’s a great goalkeeper who has played a lot of first-team games. We’re [Wales] a young team and Karl’s experience will be good for us going into the competitions we’ve got coming up,” James said, on Darlow.
James missing, but Darlow could win his first Wales caps
Bellamy has also called-up Sheffield United’s Adam Davies and Leicester City’s Danny Ward. Ward, like Darlow, is very much second choice at Leicester while Davies was first choice under manager Chris Wilder.
But he has been relegated to the bench for Sheffield United’s last two league games. Every chance then, that Darlow is given the nod in at least one of the two Wales games coming up, starting on Friday.
James meanwhile, is missing the international break with Wales after picking up an injury that saw the Leeds speed machine missing against Hull on Saturday. He will be working to return against Burnley.
