Leeds United finally make their return to Championship action with a difficult trip to Swansea City.
It has only been 12 days since Leeds were in action against Queens Park Rangers but the international break has certainly made that feel like longer.
No Championship club had more players away than Leeds this month but it does appear they have all returned to Thorp Arch with a clean bill of health. Daniel Farke will reveal more in his presser on Friday.
The international break is always a nervy time for Farke but it couldn’t really have gone much better, as minutes have been managed well.
With the game at Swansea also not until Sunday, Farke has plenty of time to work with his Leeds squad and ensure they are fully recovered to hit the ground running.
Farke should hand Max Wober first Leeds Championship start
One player Farke will definitely be without in South Wales is Junior Firpo, as he serves the second of a three-match ban following an incident at Millwall.
Farke was critical of Firpo when discussing the suspension after the win over QPR, but the only thought in his mind now will be who replaces him.
Sam Byram was the chosen one for both matches Firpo has missed this season, but the same glaring issue has been there on each occasion.
Byram’s tendency to cut inside on his right-foot sees Leeds a lot of balance in attack down the left flank, and so Farke needs to make a change.
Isaac Schmidt produced a positive cameo in his limited time off the bench against QPR, but the fact all of his appearances have come as a winger so far, would suggest Farke doesn’t quite trust him in defence.
With that in mind, Max Wober should be brought in for his first start of the season after getting a very important 90 minutes in the tank for Austria earlier this week.
Due to a combination of injuries and the form of Pascal Struijk, Wober hasn’t played a single minute of Championship football since returning from his loan spell.
While centre-back is his best position, Wober has played at left-back numerous times during his career and would have no issues doing so in the Championship.
Wober being left-footed would make a world of difference to Leeds’ balance going forward and it is certainly something Farke should consider this weekend.
What Wober said about Leeds future on international duty
Given his pedigree but in club and international football, Wober certainly wouldn’t have expected to be playing backup at a Championship side at this stage of his career.
Despite Farke calling him ‘top class‘, it is clear he has preferred options ahead of Wober.
Wober insists he remains fully focused on trying to force his way into Leeds’ side this season, though, and isn’t thinking about a transfer.
He said: “Things are going really well, I understand the coach. No reason to change anything. Have to stay patient, work hard. But I’m not thinking about a transfer at all, it hasn’t been an issue. The focus is on getting fit.
