Daniel Farke press conference: Leeds vs Sheff Utd preview

Max Wober (knee) is recovering from surgery ahead of schedule but will miss the derby along with long-term injury absentees Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev.

Wingers Dan James and Manor Solomon are back in full training and are available after injury. Ao Tanaka, Junior Firpo, Willy Gnonto and Brenden Araonson will be assessed when they return from international duty. “We need to make some late decisions as need to wait until all players are back,” said Farke.

The Whites boss said he has not had to speak too much with goalkeeper Ilan Meslier after his mistake at Sunderland: “He’s experienced. We didn’t have to analyse it too much. It was a situation – it happens once in a lifetime. Most disappointed player in the dressing room [was Meslier]. You’re suffering for two or three days, then you get on with it.”

On Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate, who has been linked as a signing: “I never confirm any names and I won’t speak about players who are not under contract with us. I just speak about our players. We have a few ideas and we’re carefully optimistic we’ll be able to bring in a good solution in the upcoming days or weeks, but I cannot say names. We’re not too far from making a decision with the next two weeks.”

Asked about what atmosphere the game will be played in after the death of former Sheffield United defender George Baldock at the age of 31 last week, Farke said: “Always difficult with such a tragedy. Our thoughts are there with him and his family. Even a few players in our squad have played with him. It’s unbelievably sad news. It’s not easy to get on with it in first few days – you’re lost for words and football is not important in this moment. The life of a human being is always more important than any point.”

On preparing for the game: “It’s always tricky during the international break for a team with so many players away. I’m struggling to understand the fixture list – playing on Friday night after the international break. We have players who arrive late today. When we play on Saturday, you have at least one training session with the team.”

He added: “It is a bit disappointing and sad because it’s a great game. Normally both teams want to be at their best. We knew about the schedule list and, for that, no complaints. Tricky without team training to prepare but we want to find good solutions.”