Daniel Lewis

Thu 9 November 2023 20:10, UK

Graham Smyth has shared his thoughts on the update provided by Leeds United manager Daniel Farke on Djed Spence in his weekly news conference.

Farke revealed to the press on Thursday (9 November) that the Tottenham loanee is struggling with illness ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Plymouth Argyle.

Spence, who has played just nine minutes for Leeds since joining in August, is now expected to see his return from injury delayed until after the international break.

Smyth described the update from Farke as “interesting” on his personal Twitter account [9 November].

“The timeframe was always between six and eight weeks for Djed to return back into team training,” Farke said, as per the Yorkshire Evening News [9 November].

“Then there was a question in the final stages of his rehab sadly where he had tonsillitis and also a little cold and it lasts three or four days and you have to push the rehab plan a little bit back.”

Wait goes on

Landing Spence on loan in the summer was considered a big coup for Leeds, but he has been restricted to just one appearance so far, coming as a late substitute in the 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on 2 September.

The 23-year-old, who has experience of winning promotion from the Championship with Nottingham Forest two seasons ago, sustained a knee injury in training soon after his debut and has not been seen since.

There had been hope he would be given another cameo run-out against Plymouth this weekend, but it now looks likely he will have to wait until Leeds’ next match away at Rotherham United on 24 November.

Daniel Farke would no doubt like to have Spence available right now given the dearth of options at right-back, but Archie Gray has done well since dropping into that position.

As the old cliche goes, though, it really will be like having a new signing when Spence does eventually return.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites may have been made to look silly after a former player was called up by his country this week.