Daniel Farke will be grateful after what happened with Wilfried Gnonto on Italy U21 duty

Daniel Farke will be grateful as Leeds United ace Wilfried Gnonto was substituted early in an eventful match for Italy Under-21s on Tuesday (15 October).

The Whites posted on their X account (15 October) after Gnonto completed 77 minutes of the Azzurri's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland, captaining the side and getting an assist before being withdrawn.

Gnonto's substitution was not injury related, but plenty of eyes were still cast the 20-year-old's way after he blazed a first-half penalty over the bar and missed the chance to put Italy 2-0 up.

He won't be putting Gnonto on spot-kick duties, but after Ao Tanaka played 95 minutes for Japan, Farke will appreciate Gnonto's early replacement as the Whites prepare to face Sheffield United on 18 October.

Wilfried Gnonto has key Leeds United role to play for Daniel Farke

With the Whites resuming their Championship campaign barely 72 hours after five of their first-team stars feature for their countries [LeedsLive, 15 October], Gnonto of all players coming through unscathed will be a blessing.

The Italian winger has become United's talisman this season following the departure of fellow forwards Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, with the latter even acknowledging this on social media.

Gnonto's two goals and four assists this season have made him an undroppable cog in Farke's side, who have seen their preparation to face the Blades greatly affected by late returnees from international duty.

While the likes of Gnonto, Charlie Crew and Mateo Joseph will be back at Thorp Arch and on the training paddock in no time [Joe Donnohue, 15 October], the likes of Firpo and Brenden Aaronson's timetables are less easy to forecast.

Firpo's form over the international break could see Farke turn to him, rather than the Italian, on penalty duty, but the German will know better than anyone that it's Gnonto who really makes United tick.

In other Leeds news, Farke will make the final call over a brand-new transfer with a decision imminent in the next 48 hours.

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