Jayden Bogle injury news emerges ahead of Leeds United v Portsmouth
Daniel Farke has given an update on the fitness of his Leeds United squad ahead of the first Championship fixture of the 2024/25 season against Portsmouth on Saturday (10 August).
The 47-year-old spoke to reporters at his pre-match press conference on Thursday (8 August) and confirmed that he has a fully-fit squad for selection ahead of the curtain-raiser.
There were concerns around the fitness of summer signing Jayden Bogle after he limped off the pitch against Valencia last Saturday (3 August), but Farke quashed those fears and is relishing the start of the new campaign.
He said: “Everyone is available, so good news. We’ve rarely had this situation in my life for the first game when everyone is fit and ready to go.
“I’m also a bit surprised. When you work that hard [in pre-season] you usually have a little muscle injury.
“Credit to our physios and sports scientists and the players. We’re a bit lucky there were no contact injuries [against Valencia]. There was a dead leg for Jayden but he’s ready to go. All the players are ready to go.”
Daniel Farke has a fully available Leeds United squad for Portsmouth
Leeds fans can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that Farke can name a full-strength side to begin the new Championship campaign.
The supporters can be forgiven for mixed feelings heading into the new season. Last term United were so close to returning to the Premier League on their first attempt, but Southampton thwarted them 1-0 in the play-off final and condemned the Whites to another year in the second tier.
All clouds have a silver lining, however. Leeds are the favourites to win the title this season (Opta Analyst) despite losing two of their prized assets in Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville.
Farke’s side is brimming with talent and Premier League experience. There are several players from the 2022/23 relegated side still at the club, and the experience of last season should help the Whites challenge for the title this year.
The summer headlines have been dominated by the Whites’ exploits in the transfer market, but now it’s time for all the outside noise to stop as they turn their attention to what will hopefully be an opening-game win against Portsmouth.
Leeds fans can still expect new signings towards the end of the transfer window, with Farke admitting he would like three more signings to bolster his side. That would make automatic promotion more of a certainty than a possibility.
A full-strength side is exactly what Leeds need to kick off the new campaign in winning fashion and put down a statement of intent to their Championship rivals.
In other Leeds United news, a Crysencio Summerville “issue” has been mooted at Elland Road following his transfer to West Ham
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