Wilfried Gnonto drops hint over Leeds United future
Wilfried Gnonto drops hint over Leeds United future

Wilfried Gnonto injury update ahead of Leeds United v Norwich in playoffs

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

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Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto suffered some "bruises and bleeding" against Norwich City on 12 May, but Daniel Farke confirmed he'll be available for the second play-off leg at Elland Road.

Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Donnohue reported that Farke had done his best to keep Gnonto "fresh" ahead of the must-win play-off semi-final on 16 May.

Gnonto had a mixed performance in the first leg at Carrow Road, being denied a penalty in the early stages and looking dangerous on the counter-attack, but picked up a yellow card for dissent and was substituted midway through the second half.

In his latest updates, Farke said that Gnonto; "had some bruises and was also bleeding a little bit", following the first leg.

Wilfried Gnonto must be better for Leeds United in second leg

Leeds United go into the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Norwich level in the tie, having drawn 0-0 in the 'first half' at Carrow Road.

The other semi-final between Southampton and West Brom also finished goalless at The Hawthorns, meaning it's all to play for going into the decisive second legs for all four promotion-chasing sides.

Gnonto, who earned a needless yellow card for clapping at a soft refereeing decision, may have been withdrawn by Farke with an eye to his fitness, but it's clear the German was also guarding against the prospect of a second booking for the livewire Italian forward.

The Whites started with a new-look 4-3-3 formation at Carrow Road with Gnonto on the right of a front three also featuring Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, but none of the trio could make much happen in a congested final-third battle.

With the second leg at Elland Road fast approaching, Farke will be hoping that having a home crowd behind Gnonto can help to keep the 20-year-old frustrations at bay, and the Italian international must rise to the occasion if he's to help Leeds go all the way to Wembley and break their play-off curse.

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