Leeds United return to Championship action against Watford on Friday.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has intimated that Junior Firpo may miss the club’s Championship encounter against Watford because to the short turnaround time between the game and international commitments.
When the Championship resumes in a few days, the Whites will be looking to keep their lead. They face Watford at Vicarage Road on Friday night (8 p.m. kickoff).
The game may come too soon for Firpo, as the full-back is on international duty with the Dominican Republic, who play in Peru early Wednesday morning. This means Firpo is racing against the clock to return in time for kick-off; unless alternate arrangements are made, the defender’s travel back to the UK may take 15 to 20 hours.
Farke has already hinted at the issue of a lack of time between international matches and the return of the Championship. He explained: “We have to fly to Watford on Thursday, and many of the men will only return on Thursday.
“I’m not sure if Junior Firpo will make it before kick-off because I believe he’ll just be back in the UK on Friday. So it’s going to be a tremendous turnaround.”
Firpo has started 12 of the last 13 Championship games, having established himself as Farke‘s first-choice left-back this season. Due to his questionable availability, Sam Byram, who last started in a 1-0 win over Stoke City earlier this month, could return at left-back.
Leeds could enter the game against Watford in third place in the table, since both Leicester and Ipswich were in play earlier in the day. The Foxes go to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City at 12.30pm, while Ipswich visit Blackburn Rovers at 5.30pm.
The top three teams in the Championship table are separated by only one point. Leeds and Ipswich each have eight games remaining, while Leicester has an extra game owing to their participation in the FA Cup prior to the international break.
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