Leeds United: Daniel Farke tipped to make new Sam Byram call ahead of Watford clash
Leeds United defender Sam Byram is set to start the Whites’ Championship clash with Watford on Friday 29 March, according to Joe Donohue.
Daniel Farke’s side travel to Vicarage Road as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table, but will likely be without Junior Firpo as he completes his return from international duty with the Dominican Republic.
The defender has been in exceptional form for Leeds this season and his absence will be a blow to the Whites, but Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Donohue has tipped Byram to be the man to slot into Farke’s backline.
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post (26 March) he said: “Therefore, in Firpo’s place Sam Byram will most likely start at left-back having only been named in Farke’s XI three times since the turn of the year.
“Firpo on the other hand has 14 starts in the first three months of 2024 and five assists to his name.”
Will Junior Firpo be ready to play for Leeds United against Watford?
Farke and Leeds United aren’t spoilt with defensive options currently at Elland Road, particularly at left-back, but that means Byram will almost certainly have to be the man to slot in and take Firpo’s place on Friday.
The Englishman has been a more than able deputy so far this season and actually kept Firpo out of the team for much of the first half of the season. If he returns on Friday, he will be more than ready to slot into the backline.
Archie Gray could be deployed on the left of the back four given his impressive displays out of position so far this season, with Connor Roberts at right-back, but it seems unlikely that Farke will make any more changes than necessary.
Obviously, there is an outside chance that Firpo will be back and ready to start at Vicarage Road, but it seems most likely that it will be Byram next to Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu as the Whites look to restart their title push.
In other Leeds United news, Jeff Stelling has shared a new Championship title admission in a Leicester City verdict
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