Leeds Live

There will be a few familiar faces to Leeds United when Tottenham Hotspur come to town at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Not only are Archie Gray and Djed Spence former players but this will be the sixth time Daniel Farke comes up against Thomas Frank. In five battles, Farke has not lost one, with three wins to show from his days at Norwich City when Frank was Brentford boss.

Those in the Elland Road away end this Saturday will remember Joe Rodon, who spent four years at the club yet only made 15 Premier League appearances. He is due to line up against Spurs for the first time since being sold by them upon his permanent switch to Leeds in 2023.

The back line looks due to stay the same for the contest with Spurs as it was against Bournemouth, with Jayden Bogle at right-back, Pascal Struijk alongside Rodon and Gabriel Gudmundsson on the left.

With Lucas Perri back in team training but not ready to play just yet, Karl Darlow will keep his place in goal. Last week’s midfield three have performed well as a trio and Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach look set to keep their place alongside Ethan Ampadu.

The big injury news this week is that Daniel James is due to be out of action for between four and six weeks after suffering an ankle injury in training. With Wilfried Gnonto still out, Brenden Aaronson is poised to make another start of the right flank.

Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have impressed in recent outings and are set to retain their place as the number one picks. We could therefore see an unchanged side upon another full week’s rest.

Predicted XI: Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Stach, Ampadu, Longstaff; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.

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Daniel Farke says Joe Rodon is showing that he belongs in the Premier League, just over a year after being sold to Leeds United by Saturday’s opponents Tottenham Hotspur.

The centre-back only played 15 Premier League matches during his four years at Spurs, during which he played under four different managers.

After a loan at French club Stade Rennais, Rodon was loaned to Leeds in 2023 before signing permanently for then-Championship club in 2024.

The Wales international has started every league game under Farke for the past two years and netted his first career top-flight goal in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with AFC Bournemouth.

Speaking ahead of the season, Rodon said he felt he had a “point to prove” in the Premier League. “I didn't play that much, of course, when I was at Tottenham,” he told Leeds Live.

“I didn't get really that much of an opportunity that every player wants. I feel like this has been a long time coming and not just for me, but for other players as well.”

These comments were put to Farke in Thursday’s pre-match press conference. “Yes, if it's his opinion, then he should be also right,” he responded.

“I can't tell ‘No, Joe, you don't have anything to prove’. It's not like he already has 200 Premier League games under his belt.

“Of course, naturally, it was more difficult to come into this side when they signed him, they were more or less playing the Champions League final

"He's grown also as a player, as a person with his personality - I think he's a way better player than he was perhaps three years ago. And for that, I think he has proven in the first games that even on this level, he can perform on a top level.

“But the message is to show this consistency, not just over a few weeks or a few months. It's important to show this over a whole course of the season. It's more or less, also the challenge for Joe right now.

“So far so good. I think he has played excellently so far. Also I like that he adds more and more to be a goal threat.”

Farke will come against a number of familiar faces on Saturday. Archie Gray - who Farke said was a “joy to work with” - and Djed Spence are now both playing their trade at Spurs and could face their former club this weekend.

Meanwhile, ex-Norwich City manager Farke has faced up against Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on five occasions while the Dane was Brentford boss. Farke has yet to lose to his counterpart, having won three and drawn two.

“So we rate each other. So I rate him so much, not just as a manager, but also as a human being,” said Farke. “Although I had good results, it’s never easy. His teams are always well-structured and well-managed. Against the ball, they play and press with intensity.

“The mentality that Thomas brings into his team, they always are pretty effective and also find pragmatic solutions to grind out results.

"This is a sign of his handwriting. His team is always fit, shows good mentality, good spirit. And this comes totally down to Thomas, and this is why it's always so difficult to get a result against the sides.”

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If he says so. It's not like he has made 200 Prmeier Legaue games. I think over the three years he has improved.

He's been more of a goal threat too. He's already shwoing in the first games he is [ready for this level].

Best finisher I ever worked with. In these terms very world class.

But we have to accept we won't always be in this position. In other games we needed some other skills. I'm 100% sure during the season his skills and stengths will be needed.

It's also have to accept this as a professional footballer.

I ca only speak of his time under me. It was joy for him to watch him develop. I played him ahead of Luke Ayling as a 17 years old, he played more or less every game.

I had the feeling he was ready. Always willing to improve and give advice.

Sometimes can be over motivated and make mistakes. Sometimes you have to calm them down.

I out my arm around Gabby (after Fulham) This is what I did before the Wolves game. We don't over interpretate this.

They play with a press and intesnity. His style of play, set-pices, throwins are also important for Thomas.

They play in Europe so have to rotate a bit more. They have the squad and the players to do this. Always difficult to be in the spolight but they always find a way to dig in. That's the menatlity Thomas brings.

We always have to be aware that they can always come back and score a late goal. This is why it's always so difficult to play against Thomas' sides.

You always have to decide in the moment. It was the case that if we want to sub then definitely the offensive. Also to give time for us to breathe in the last moments.

So the subs were quite natural. I didn;t feel it was a game where we were under pressure. Wanted to replace striker with striker. Usually I dont subtitute during set-pieces but I felt in this case it was a bit hectic.

Was thinking there was one free-kick to defend. I was thinking to give a break and regroup while not changing anything in our set up. If I'm honest, Dominic's position and Lukas had no effect. I'm not sure something different would have changed this but you have to decide in the moment. Sadly it wasn't enough to prevent the goal.

James is out for a few week.s He roeld his ankle in training, Likely out for 4-6 weeks. We expect him back after November international break.

If he was available before it would be a bonus. Not great news.

Gnonto will miss this came with his calf problems, not back in team training. Back after interntional break.

Question marks over Harry Gray, some problems with hip flexor after [youth] game on Monday.

Lucas Perri is back in team training since yesterday. Good news but too early to involve him. International break is good for two weeks of training - we expect him out after that.

The start was good. What I like about our start is that we've not won point lucky but lost three points unlucky.

Sometimes it's healthy that we are not we are not in a top position so we can fly under the radar. We need to deliver with consistency.

It's a players game not a manager's game. I've know him a long time. I rate him not just as a manager but as a human being.

Quality managers are defined over the long term and consistency. This is what Frank has done. It's never easy, his teams are well structured and coach.

Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur are both expected to have players on the sidelines when they meet in the Premier League this weekend. The Whites will be looking to continue their good run of form, which has seen them pick up four points from their last two matches.

Leeds were held to a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in their last fixture, having claimed a convincing win over Wolves the previous weekend. Daniel Farke's side will host Tottenham in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road as they look to claim another three points.

However, the fixture will see players from both sidelines be unavailable to take part. Leeds could be without both Wilfried Gnonto and Lucas Perri for the clash against Spurs at the weekend. Gnonto has been dealing with a calf injury, while Karl Darlow has been forced to deputise for the injured Perri.

The last update from Farke on Gnonto and Perri was last week, before the draw at Bournemouth, where the Leeds boss was hopeful to have both players return to training in the near future.

"Lucas [Perri] has not joined us in team training yet so of course because of that Karl [Darlow] has the chance to play again," Farke told reporters last week.

"He was excellent in the last couple of games and I was really pleased not just with his saves but his natural appearance on the pitch.

"Lucas, we hope he can join us some time next week in team training. At the moment it is realistic to say he is not in contention until after the international break, as he will have been out for four weeks. Once he is back in team training, it doesn't mean he is back to his best, he needs time."

Farke added: "The bad news is Willy Gnonto won't make it [vs Bournemouth]. He has some problems with his calf and he will definitely miss the match. I hope to have him back in training next week, but this week there is no chance."

Tottenham will also have some players on the sidelines for the clash against Leeds. Dominic Solanke is one of the latest names to be added to the treatment room, having been forced to undergo minor surgery on an ankle injury.

Spurs will also be without Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai for the clash against Leeds. Randal Kolo Muani remains a doubt but could make his return to feature against Leeds at the weekend.

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Leeds United host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday lunchtime with the 12:30pm kick-off a crunch game for the hosts ahead of the international break.

The match against a strong opponent presents an opportunity to head into a two-week break with a significant scalp to their name and a spring in their step.

It also offers Leeds United supporters a first chance to welcome back Djed Spence and, in particular, Archie Gray to Elland Road. Gray's position in the team is still far from certain, with the teenager having played in just two Premier League games so far this campaign, one of those being an 89th substitute appearance.

Spence has been a regular fixture in the Tottenham line-up under new head coach Thomas Frank, however that may be about to change. The defender has been going through a tough spell with his form of late and was criticised for his performance against Bodo Glimt in the Champions League in midweek.

Spurs came from behind on Tuesday night to secure a 2-2 draw helped in a large part to Gray's late effort that was saved but bounced back off Bodo defender Jostein Gundersen and into the net to hand the London side a point they barely-deserved.

Assessing the performance of the Tottenham players in that game, Spurs reporter for football.london Alasdair Gold had this to say on Spence. "(He's) going through a sticky run at the moment with some poor passing and worse deliveries.

Spence's drop off in form has left some questioning whether he will be denied a Leeds return this weekend, while Gray's late contribution in Norway should at least see him in contention to feature off the bench at Elland Road.

Spence played just seven times for Leeds United after arriving on loan from Spurs in August 2023 and had his stay cut short in the January before switching to Genoa in Serie A.

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Ally McCoist has fired back at fellow talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil over his assessment of Leeds United's chances this weekend. The Whites host Tottenham Hotspur in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road, with Daniel Farke hoping to head into the international break on a positive winning note.

Leeds' chances of doing just that have been written off by Brazil, who thinks Tottenham will "surely" beat Leeds away from home. It's no a sentiment shared by his fellow Scotsman and ex-international striker McCoist, who is aware of the threat posed by the Whites at home.

Previewing the game on Saturday, Brazil said; “It’s going to be a great game. A game that Tottenham shouldn’t lose, even though Leeds are playing with a lot of spirit. If Spurs can go to The Etihad and win, they can go to Leeds and win, surely.”

The response from his broadcast partner was sift and to the point. McCoist explained; “But they will face a different kind of team, at The Etihad you’ll not have possession and hit them on the counter attack. Leeds will come flying out at you, (they were) unlucky not to beat Bournemouth.”

With a week to prepare for the match unlike Tottenham, who were away on Champions League duty on Tuesday evening, Leeds will be fancying their chances of what would be their best result of the season so far against a side who have made an impressive start to life under new manager Thomas Frank.

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Thomas Frank has hailed Tottenham Hotspur's mental fortitude after they produced yet another Houdini act to come from behind at Bodo/Glimt.

Spurs head to Leeds United on Saturday lunchtime on the back of a very hard-earned Champions League draw in Norway.

Two goals down, playing on an artificial surface with only a quarter of the match remaining Spurs dug deep and pulled one back through stand-in captain Micky van de Ven.

They hit the bar then forced Jostein Gundersen to put through his own net meaning it is the third time in a month they have been forced to come from behind to draw.

Frank's men trailed by two at Brighton and needed a stoppage time equaliser to claim a home draw against Wolves at the weekend.

United have their own experience of such things, Bournemouth and Fulham denying Daniel Farke's men points at the death during September.

And speaking last night Frank pointed to Spurs' perseverence.

“The positive is I think the mentality and the character of the players was very good,” he said.

“[We] Stayed in the game. Kept fighting and that gave us a very good point away from home.

"When you’re 2-0 down in a Champions League game, and especially against a Bodo team that are very good here, then you need to be happy with that.

“I’m happy that we again got back into the game, I think that’s very positive. I think until 2-0 it’s fair to say, and especially in the first half, Bodo was better than us.

“It’s extremely important that we got back from 2-0 down against Brighton, we got back against Wolves and we got back again today.

“I think that’s hugely important that we show that mentality, and keep running, keep fighting hard.

"You need to do that in football, no matter if you’re on top of the game. Sometimes a team can score out of nothing. So I think it’s hugely important.”

How will United get on against Spurs? Have your say here

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RB Leipzig have reportedly made Timo Werner surplus to requirements with days remaining of the summer transfer window.

The former Chelsea striker has been on loan at Tottenham Hotspur since January last year, but returned to his parent club when the 2024–25 season concluded. Werner played just once after mid-January, having been beset by muscle injuries, so Spurs unsurprisingly did not take up a reported £8.5million option to make the move permanent.

However, he did not feature during their pre-season preparations after returning to Leipzig. Werner is training with the team, but remains absent from their matchday squads thus far.

Bild reports that the club have announced internally that he is effectively surplus to requirements. They are said to consider his weekly wages, which are reputedly around £166,000 per week, too expensive.

The former Germany international managed 16 goals across 40 appearances during his first season after returning from Chelsea. However, he scored just twice in 14 games before joining Tottenham, for whom he found the back of the net only three times despite making 41 outings under former Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou.

The publication adds that during open training on Tuesday, Werner worked separately for the final part of the session alongside fellow out-of-favour players Eljif Elmas, Kevin Kampl and Lukas Klostermann. However, despite being frozen out, he is reputedly unresponsive to enquiries from other clubs.

Werner is said to have rejected Burnley and Leeds United, having previously turned down New York Red Bulls. England, however, is considered a popular choice compared to France, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The 29-year-old is into the final 12 months of a four-year contract signed when rejoining in the summer of 2026. As such, Bild states the player will fulfil his deal before leaving as a free agent this time next year.

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Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly ready to sell Manor Solomon before the transfer window ends. Solomon has not played for Spurs this summer due to a minor calf injury after returning from Leeds United at the end of last season. The winger did not travel on their pre-season tour and was not involved in the UEFA Super Cup.

It has been over a year since Solomon last played for Tottenham, and approaching two years since his last appearance in a competitive match, which was in September 2023. Much has changed at the club since then, not least Thomas Frank replacing Ange Postecoglou.

The Standard now claims they are open to letting Solomon leave and willing to sell should a suitable offer be made. However, the club are reputedly not ruling out another loan move.

That, though, would only be due to a lack of interest from other clubs in a permanent deal. There is a view that Solomon is not a key part of the new coach's plans.

LaLiga and Premier League clubs are said to be monitoring the situation. There are, though, no soundings that Leeds are pursuing a deal after Spurs quoted a price wholly unfeasible for United to consider.

A player who Leeds are interested in, though, is Noah Okafor. The Switzerland international notably played the full 90 minutes for Milan against Leeds in Dublin last week.

Okafor also scored twice against Liverpool after coming on as a half-time substitute earlier this summer and has four goals in four appearances during pre-season, with the other two coming in a 9-0 win over Perth Glory.

Leeds, however, have not made a concerted effort to sign the attacker yet, with no official approach nor club-to-club talks, according to The Athletic. They are merely looking and monitoring at this stage, as with Dilane Bakwa and Nico Gonzalez.

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Leeds United may have to keep their eyes peeled for a potential update regarding Manor Solomon's future.

Solomon enjoyed a successful spell on loan with the Whites last season where he scored 10 goals on the way to helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League. The winger's final goal for Leeds came in stoppage time of the Championship finale against Plymouth Argyle, which won the game and clinched the title in dramatic fashion.

The summer transfer window is now open and the Israel international has since returned to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur, but is still facing an uncertain future in North London. Leeds have been tentatively linked with re-signing Solomon this summer, and now there could be some more question marks about the forward's future in the weeks ahead.

Tottenham have been dealt a major injury blow with news that James Maddison is expected to be sidelined for several months with an ACL injury. Maddison suffered the injury during a pre-season friendly with Newcastle United at the weekend, and will undergo surgery with a timeframe for a return expected to be around six or seven months.

"We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee," the statement from Tottenham read. "The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul.

"His surgery will take place in the coming days and, following that, James will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur wishes James a full and speedy recovery. We will be supporting him every step of the way."

News of Maddison's injury could prompt Tottenham to change their transfer plans for the summer. This could, as a result, affect Solomon's future in North London.

There have been rumours that Spurs will now look to sign a new playmaker to play in the No.10 role to replace Maddison. However, after already spending big on summer signings Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, it could force Tottenham to sell some existing members of their squad to raise the funds.

Whether Solomon would be a player that Spurs would look to sell remains to be seen, but if that is the case then it could hand Leeds an opportunity to re-sign their promotion hero.

It's also possible that Tottenham may look to use Solomon more often in the first-team this season, with Frank's stance set to become clearer once the new season begins.

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