Leeds Utd v Harrogate Town Match Thread
FA Cup Third Round | Elland Road
Saturday 11th January 2025@17:45
Daniel Farke will likely seize the opportunity presented by Harrogate Town's visit to rest key players, when the two sides collide at Saturday teatime in the FA Cup third-round.
Farke's primary objective this season is promotion back to the top flight, so the FA Cup acts as a potential distraction, and given the three point gap between first and fourth, fans might even view an early exit with a degree of acceptance.
Even so, there's a significant gulf in league standing between the two sides. The Sulphurites are languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, and possess a squad with a valuation of around £3m. It could provide the perfect ideal opportunity to take a look at some of the promising youngsters coming through the Elland Road ranks.
Leeds will be without Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford, Ilea Gruev, Max Wober, Pascal Struijk and Joel Piroe. Both Firpo and Gruev have returned to training this week and will be eased back gradually. Piroe (muscular) and Wober (knee) have missed training this week, but only as a precaution, with Wober returning to light duties today.
Pascal Struijk also returned to training today after missing the Hull match with an ankle knock. There's worse news for Patrick Bamford, with the striker expected to be side-lined for another month with a hamstring injury he picked up in the 3-3 draw at Hull last weekend.
Beyond enforced changes due to injury, anticipated adjustments will see Karl Darlow take the gloves from Meslier, though it's widely accepted the Frenchman will be back between the sticks when the Wendies arrive at Elland Road on the 20th. Sam Chambers, Charlie Crew, Josuha Guilavogui, Mateo Joseph, Joe Gelhardt, James Debayo and Isaac Schmidt are all expected to heavily feature.