Archie Gray was Leeds United's first choice right-back for much of last season.

Daniel Farke hints Archie Gray team news for Leeds United v Stoke already

Wed 25 October 2023 11:40, UK

Daniel Farke has hinted that Archie Gray may start for Leeds United in their clash with Stoke City on Wednesday 25 October, according to Phil Hay.

The Athletic journalist shared via his Twitter account (24 October) that the Whites boss suggested that the 17-year-old could start at the Bet356 Stadium, despite his intense recent workload with both Leeds and England under-19s during the international break.

Leeds’ clash with Norwich City represented Grays’ fourth 90 minutes in 11 days but Farke has said that he isn’t worried about the teenager’s conditioning despite the recent run of games and doesn’t believe that the turnaround from the win at Carrow Road is a problem for his squad.

Farke hinting that Gray could start again tomorrow. Says he's not worried about his conditioning, despite how much he's played in the past fortnight. Doesn't feel like this turnaround is a problem for the squad.

Says Stoke to Huddersfield turnaround might call for changes. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 24, 2023

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However, the German did admit that the short gap between Wednesday’s clash with the Potters and Saturday’s early kick-off against Huddersfield Town may call for changes to the side.

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Too much?

It was only a few days ago that Farke openly admitted that he was unhappy with Gray’s workload during the international break, so it does seem slightly backward to complain about his workload and then immediately add to it only days later.

But the 17-year-old has been in excellent form so far this season, both when playing in his natural role at the heart of midfield or even as a makeshift right-back in recent weeks, where he has kept Luke Ayling out to the side repeatedly.

It is never easy to rest key members of your squad, especially when you’re in charge of a team hoping to finish in the automatic promotion places, however, Farke cannot afford to see Gray burn out or pick up an injury and with the options in his squad, it would make sense to rotate.

Ayling is a more than able defender at Championship level and has even impressed in the Premier League, while Jamie Shackleton has impressed as a makeshift right-back when called upon. Either player would do a job for Leeds United against Stoke on Wednesday.

If Gray is picked to start against the Potters, you would have to imagine that he’d need to be substituted around the hour mark to play any part against Huddersfield on Saturday. Farke will just have to decide which game he thinks the teenager is more crucial for.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites may be tempted to change their stance on Wilfried Gnonto should a £30 million offer arrive in January