Early Leeds United team news vs Burnley: Daniel James ruled out as star duo set to return
Leeds United have been handed injury updates for several players ahead of Saturday’s trip to Burnley.
Burnley are the slight favourites against Leeds, with Scott Parker’s side having been strong at Turf Moor so far this season.
The Clarets beat Sunderland there in August, earned a point against Nottingham Forest, and ran Liverpool right until the end before Mohamed Salah scored a last-minute penalty.
Daniel James is among the players injured for Leeds, after the winger reportedly went down in training.
Despite several injury problems in recent months, Leeds offered James a new contract in July, demonstrating the faith Daniel Farke has in the winger.
Leeds stars could return vs Burnley
Harry Gray was expected to play for Leeds’ Under-21s against Fleetwood Town in the EFL trophy, but the youngster is still suffering from an injury.
The 16-year-old is yet to make his first Premier League appearance, and it will not come against Burnley, with the timeline on his return from injury unclear.
James is also expected to be unavailable, with injury expert Ben Dinnery predicting on his website Premier injuries that the winger could return by the end of November after rolling his ankle.
There could be good news elsewhere in the team, however, with Lucas Perri expected to be in contention for the trip to Burnley.
His return has been predicted for Saturday’s game, with the goalkeeper finally returning to training after recovering from an injury to his thigh.
The same can be said of Willy Gnonto, who is also expected to make his return at Turf Moor.
The Italian has been out after experiencing problems with his calf, but Dinnery has predicted that the winger will be in the team for the Burnley clash.
Lucas Perri’s return is well timed
Perri endured a difficult start to his Premier League career, looking noticeably weak against the set-piece threat of Arsenal early in the season.
But Leeds will be glad to see the Brazilian’s return – especially after Karl Darlow‘s performance against Tottenham.
The Wales international faced just three shots on target against Thomas Frank’s side, but conceded two soft-looking goals.
| Karl Darlow | Premier League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 4 |
| Saves | 12 |
| Save percentage | 66.7% |
| Goals prevented | -1.90 |
| Clean sheets | 0 |
Both shots took a deflection, which must be taken into account, but the first flew in at the goalkeeper’s near post, and the second saw Darlow mistakenly move to his right when Mohammed Kudus’ body-shape quite clearly indicated a shot to his left.
Should Perri be fit, the 27-year-old should expect to be drafted straight back into the starting line-up.
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