Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto [Credit: Imago]
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto [Credit: Imago]

Leeds United early team news v Burnley in new Wilfried Gnonto update

Jonathan Burnett

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on

Junior Firpo, Mateo Joseph and Wilfried Gnonto will all return to Leeds United unscathed after the international break, according to Joe Donnohue.

The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on 11 September that the trio featured for their respective nations in matches on 10 September, and all came away unharmed in some good news for Daniel Farke.

Firpo played the full match and registered an assist in the Dominican Republic's 2-0 win over Dominica in the CONCACAF Nations League, while Joseph came off the bench in a 1-0 win for Spain's Under-21s.

Gnonto, whose withdrawal at half-time of Italy Under-21s' 7-0 win over San Marino sparked worry last week, showed there was no injury issue as he played 88 minutes of a 3-0 victory against Norway, also getting an assist.

Daniel Farke will be relieved after Leeds United injury news

With 11 of his first-team players heading out on international duty just four games into the new Championship season, Farke likely feared the worst on the injuries front.

The March 2024 break was seen as a sliding doors moment in United's promotion push last season, with crucial absentees and a crushing defeat helping to curtail the final weeks of their campaign.

Mateo Joseph
Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph has continued his scoring form on international duty [Credit: Imago]

Wales' agonising loss to Poland on penalties put Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Daniel James and then-loanee Connor Roberts through the wringer, with James crestfallen as he missed the decisive spot-kick.

Injuries to Gnonto and Ilia Gruev also ruled two of the Whites' form players out of crucial matches in the run-in, as Farke's side won just two of their last eight games and were consigned to the play-offs.

This time around though, it appears Farke will have a full complement to choose from as his side host Burnley on 14 September – a match in which Firpo, Joseph and Gnonto will have crucial parts to play.

For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

MOT Leeds News | Breaking News, Match Reactions, Transfers & Fan Voice
motleedsnews.com