Junior Firpo in last-chance saloon at Leeds United after Thursday update

Leeds United are reportedly set to have a fitness boost for their huge Championship clash with Ipswich Town at Elland on Saturday (23 December).

Phil Hay posted on X that forward Ian Poveda is back from international duty, while Junior Firpo is back in training and in contention after a four-game injury layoff.

“Ian Poveda is back from international duty and in the mix. Junior Firpo has trained and is likely to be in contention,” he wrote.

The latter comes into the thinking at a particularly good time with Sam Byram, who has performed so admirably this season, unavailable for Daniel Farke.

But it really does feel like Firpo is now in last-chance saloon at Elland Road and he must grasp what could be his final opportunity to impress.

Since joining from Barcelona in July 2021, it has not always worked out well for Firpo, who has issues with both form and fitness during his time at the club.

Indeed, he has just a solitary Championship start to his name this season and Farke has previously hinted that the problem left-back area is one he will look to address in January.

On December 11, Hay wrote on X of Farke's thinking: “Farke indicating that he’s giving through to recruiting at left-back in January – and was thinking about that even before Byram/Firpo got injured."

Estadio Deportivo reported (12 December) that Firpo had not asked to leave the club and previous reports that former club Real Betis wanted to sign him were not correct.

But with Farke clearly looking at other left-back options, and big question marks still remaining over his fitness and form, you really do get the impression that Firpo is running out of chances.

Let's hope for his sake, and for Leeds', that he can grasp it, starting with a good performance against Ipswich this weekend.

In other Leeds United news, Hay has also mooted the arrival of a No.10 in January.