Leeds United continue their push for a place in the Championship’s top two with a tough trip to Coventry City tomorrow.
The Whites head into another massive weekend currently sat in second place and will be hoping they are still there come 5pm on Saturday, with both Ipswich Town and Leicester City also in action.
Daniel Farke previewed the game in his press conference yesterday and provided a fresh injury update on a number of players, with Leeds’ squad looking a little stretched.
Farke refused to completely rule out a return for Ilia Gruev but did admit he is still yet to train, while Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts are still a couple of matches away from coming back.
There is also one other fresh absentee from the squad that faced Hull City on Monday night, with Jamie Shackleton now set for two weeks on the sidelines due to an adductor injury.
Youngster Farke praised recently unlikely to be in Leeds squad vs Coventry after last night
With Shackleton also out, Leeds’ squad is going to be even more stretched than it already was and unless Gruev returns, it would not be a surprise if Farke was back to naming two ‘keepers on the bench.
However, Leeds’ recent injury issues have actually opened the door for one of their most talented youngsters to get his first taste of a senior matchday.
Charlie Crew has been named on the bench in each of Leeds’ last two matches, and though Farke said his chance may not come this season, he was full of praise for his potential.
Being only 17, Crew was in action for Leeds’ U18s last night in their FA Youth Cup semi-final against Millwall at Elland Road, in which he was on the scoresheet in a 4-3 win.
However, according to Leeds Live, Crew had to be substituted before the end with what looked as though it was an injury concern.
Manager Rob Etherington said after the game it was just down to tired legs, but given the short turnaround, Leeds will need to do a proper assessment. Any issue at all could mean Farke is down yet another body for his bench.
What Farke said about Leeds starlet Crew’s potential
Crew is actually the same age Archie Gray was when he made his senior bow at the start of the season, though it is, of course, a far more pressurised situation now.
Farke has already praised Crew for his performances in training, while Ethan Ampadu was also impressed when he was invited to train with Wales’ senior squad last year.
However, while Farke was happy to talk up Crew’s potential yesterday, he was also quick to point out that he may have to be patient.
He said: “Obviously Charlie Crew plays in a similar role, perhaps a bit more offensive but due to his age he can’t fulfil the role Ilia has done. You can’t dictate the rhythm of a side wanting promotion on the back of a few first-team training sessions but he’s a talent full of potential.
“We try to improve him. We see him as a high potential young player, there’s a long way to go, you can’t take it for granted a 17 year old plays day in day out like Archie. It would be unfair to put the same weight of expectations on Charlie Crew’s shoulders.”