Daniel Farke to make Sam Byram decision for Leeds United clash v Millwall
Daniel Farke is unlikely to start Sam Byram for the clash between Leeds United and Millwall, according to Beren Cross.
The Whites make the trip to The Den on Wednesday (6 November) to face Neil Harris’ side as they look to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches and close the gap to Sunderland at the top of the Championship.
Although Byram has started both of Leeds’ last two games as Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle have served suspensions, Leeds Live journalist Cross expects the 33-year-old to drop out of the starting XI against the Lions.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast (4 November, 11:45) he said: “There’s clearly something we’re not seeing in training but it might not be a bad thing.
“There’s a pecking order and he can only give minutes to so many people but he wasn’t going to take Firpo or Byram off early because Firpo has only just come back in and Byram as you say will probably not play on Wednesday.”
What has happened to Leeds United star Sam Byram at Elland Road?
Byram certainly doesn’t deserve to be dropped as he has performed excellently against both Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle, but it would make sense for Farke to take him out of the firing line against Millwall.
The versatile defender’s fitness issues have been well-documented over the course of his career and it would be naive of Farke to assume the 33-year-old would be able to play two full 90 minutes in quick succession.
With Bogle back available after missing the win over Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth through suspension, it makes perfect sense that the Leeds United boss would restore the former Sheffield United man to the starting XI and drop Byram.
In Bogle and Firpo, the Whites have a pair of defenders who are just as capable of having a major impact at the top end of the pitch as they are in the defensive third of the field.
With the race for promotion so close at the top end of the Championship table, Farke has to pick the team most likely to claim all three points at The Den and at the moment, that includes Firpo and Bogle before it includes Byram.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been told to make a new Patrick Bamford exit decision after updates at Elland Road
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