Daniel Farke should start injury-hit Leeds United player v Sunderland
Daniel Farke should hand Djed Spence his first start of the season as Leeds United prepare to take on Sunderland on Tuesday 12 December.
The right-back made a 20-minute cameo against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, helping to consolidate a 2-0 victory for the Whites.
He returned from a ligament injury that kept him out since August, recently making the bench against Swansea City and Middlesbrough but was unable to get on the pitch.
Despite a rocky appearance last time out, Spence proved that he is ready to come back properly for Leeds and a battle against Sunderland’s Jack Clarke could throw him into the deep end, seeing if he will sink or swim.
Farke spoke in the post-match press conference after Blackburn on Sunday (10 December), saying, “He looked really rock solid in terms of closing the line in duels and he had some good situations going forward.
“Yes, sometimes in transition moments he could run a bit quicker back. There were one or two situations where I feel he could have invested a bit more but this is quite normal as it was his first game in months.”
The 23-year-old impressed during a season-long loan at Nottingham Forest during the 2021/22 season, leading to Spurs purchasing him in the 2022 summer transfer window.
However, it has been tough for Spence since, making just six appearances for Spurs and being shipped back out on loan to Rennes in Ligue 1.
Farke will be hoping to help Spence regain his form from his breakout season with Forest. He scored twice and assisted four more in 42 appearances, completing 76 successful dribbles, 69 per cent of tackles entered and made 65 interceptions. [FotMob]
Spence was outstanding. He is more than capable of becoming undroppable at Elland Road. A run in the team, starting with the Black Cats, could be the beginning of a decent season before heading back to Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
With Jamie Shackleton and Junior Firpo injured, Archie Gray being kept from his natural position in midfield, and Luke Ayling missing Leeds’ previous three fixtures, Spence has recovered at the perfect time. It could save Farke a lot of headaches.
In other Leeds United news, Dean Jones has tipped the Whites to enter the loan market for two signings this January.