Leeds United could be without several key players for their FA Cup fifth-round clash against Chelsea on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the match, Daniel Farke has confirmed that Crynsecio Summerville is one of the players who could be a major doubt for this game.
The 22-year-old winger has got a swollen ankle, and he has missed “too many training sessions” in recent weeks.
Summerville has been absolutely outstanding for the Whites this season. He has been one of the stand-out players under Farke and has managed 15 goals and eight assists in the Championship thus far.
Farke says that playing week in and week out is a “new experience” for Summerville, and there will be injury problems in a long season, something “he has to learn to adapt to”.
Summerville hasn’t scored in the last two games for Leeds, and Farke has confirmed that the Netherlands winger hasn’t trained well properly which has hampered his rhythm.
What Farke said about Summerville
“It’s never easy because 46 games, two cup competitions for a young player who was not used to playing week in week out, it’s a new experience for him and his body,” said Farke, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post.
“We have to be careful, he’s one of the standout players with many end products. Many opponents try to play aggressive against him, he gets many hits and knocks but he shouldn’t change it, his quality in 1-v-1 duels. There will sometimes be little hits and injuries, something he has to learn to adapt to.
“There are no complaints about this. Recent weeks it’s been difficult for him, it’s been a little bit stop-and-go, he was not involved in too many training sessions in recent weeks and this isn’t helpful for rhythm.”
Leeds United could be without a few key players
After an emotionally high-intensity thriller against Leicester City, ideally, Farke would have loved a week’s break to keep his players fit and fresh.
However, games are coming thick and fast, and Leeds may prioritise the league over the cup. It means Farke could make a wholesome change to the squad to keep some of his players fresh.
Facing Chelsea, who just lost the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, is ideal at the moment, but Leeds have other priorities.
Ipswich Town and Southampton are breathing down the neck, while Leeds may feel they can further close the gap with Leicester at the top. Chris Sutton says that it’s unfortunate and predicts the Whites to lose.
Farke also confirmed that the likes of Patrick Bamford, Georginio Rutter, and Dan James are also doubtful for this game.
