Credit: Leeds United Official on YouTube

Aheed Abrar

Fri 15 May 2026 14:16, UK

Daniel Farke could potentially be without seven Leeds United players against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.

The German manager revealed in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Seagulls’ trip to Elland Road on 17 May that Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Ilia Gruev and Noah Okafor aren’t available for selection.

Facundo Buonanotte can’t feature against his parent club either, while doubts have been raised over the fitness of Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu, who haven’t trained with the team.

With Premier League safety confirmed, the 49-year-old head coach has earned the right to have a smile on his face while sharing the team update for the Brighton fixture.

Farke has done an immense job at Elland Road this season and the West Yorkshire outfit can now enjoy the final two games of the season and part of the summer before making plans for the 2026-27 campaign.

Leeds United fringe players will hope for opportunity vs Brighton

Speaking to the media, Farke said, “Perhaps the most difficult situation we’ve had during the whole season. We can do this with a smile because we’ve already achieved our goal, but of course, it’s not ideal. Gruev is out for the season, we’ve spoken about this. Okafor is not available for this game. Gudmundsson isn’t available. Bogle isn’t available.

“Buonanotte, not eligible. Struijk, not in training yet after the last game, big doubt if he’s available. Ampadu struggling with illness, currently also a major doubt, wasn’t in training today. A few question marks.”

With several key players out or doubts to face Brighton, benchwarmers like Sebastiaan Bornauw, Sam Byram, Sean Longstaff, Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe will hope for some minutes at Elland Road.

The German manager has relied on a core group of players for most of the season, but with an injury nightmare on his hands, the Whites may give some of their fringe players an opportunity.

With the pressure off the West Yorkshire outfit, they can go out and enjoy their final home game of the campaign and put on a show for their supporters.

The Peacocks could potentially still play a part in the relegation battle, as they travel to London Stadium on 24 May, with West Ham United sitting in 18th place at the moment.

Daniel Farke can’t repeat Daniel James experiment at Elland Road

James struggled at right-wing-back against Tottenham Hotspur in North London and it would be wise of Farke not to repeat that experiment.

With defensive injuries still plaguing the German manager, it would make sense to give someone like Byram minutes before he possibly leaves Leeds at the end of the season.

The full-back’s contract at Elland Road expires in June and he certainly deserves one last chance to feature in front of the home crowd.

It will be interesting to see how Farke sets his team out for the final two games, with the West Yorkshire outfit already achieving their goal for the season.