Swansea v Leeds build-up LIVE

Morning all🌞.

So, always full of ideas (some good, some sh*te) I thought I’d try this one out. Let’s see how the concept goes … it’s an unashamed warm-up to Earl’s MDT (as soon as that appears, I’ll link this thread).

Ennnyhoo here we go …

Leeds news:

There are no fresh injury worries. Brenden Aaronson is over an illness and Max Wober (knee) should be fine. Largie Ramazani has returned to training and could feature off the bench in the upcoming three games. Isaac Schmidt had hernia surgery during the break and will miss Sunday's game.

The international break was a good opportunity for recovery "because this league is a marathon", said Farke. "You need energy and quality in the final stages when it comes to March, April and May. From now on until the next break in March, there are more or less no breaks - so many league games, the FA Cup. During this period, the table will be made. It was important during the first week of the break to calm the load and give the lads a bit of time off."

Farke welcomed an off-field shake-up, meaning Alex Davies is now heading up recruitment and Adam Underwood has more involvement in player trading. "I've worked with Adam before with the academy and young players, we had a fantastic relationship. I’ve worked with Alex before because he was in charge of scouting. I have to praise Paraag [Marathe] for this. New owners sometimes take their own people into key positions. We have two lads in Adam and Alex who have worked here for decades. It's always great to promote and develop people in the staff in leading roles with only Leeds blood in their veins."

While recognising statistics are an important part of the modern game, Farke echoed a former Leeds manager on just how important they are: "Statistics are not everything. Still the only ones that matter are to score goals and avoid goals. There is no replacement for three points. I think there's a quote from Brian Clough: 'We were a good team on paper but the game was played on grass.' I like this. We know statistics say we should be first, there are some things to work on."

Leeds will need to take their chances if they are to become the first team this season to score more than once against Swansea on Sunday. Farke said: "All the teams were struggling to score more than one goal against them. We know we have to be more efficient with our conversion rate than in some of our last games. We know we have to be on it and make sure we create as many chances as possible."

Swansea news:

Jay Fulton will return for Swansea City's Championship game against Leeds United on Sunday after recovering from injury.
Midfielder Fulton has missed Swansea's last three matches with a calf problem.

But Luke Williams says the 30-year-old is looking "very sharp" as Swansea prepare to return to action after the international break.

However, Eom Ji-Sung, Sam Parker, Andy Fisher, Ollie Cooper and Josh Ginnelly remain on the sidelines.

South Korea international Eom could return to full training next week after picking up a knee injury while playing for his country last month.
Youngster Parker, who is yet to play this season, is also close to returning to full training after long-term hamstring issues.

And there was encouraging news for winger Ginnelly this week as he began light training on the grass at Swansea's Fairwood training base.
Winger Ginnelly, 27, has not played since September 2023 after suffering a ruptured Achilles.

"We are getting there again with Josh," Williams said.

"We have to be very careful and we need him to be very careful about everything he does away from the training pitch, because his body is not used to training fully because of the amount of time he has been away.

"It's a step forward. It's the stage he was at before his last setback so we are optimistic now that we are going to crack it, and we are excited to see him on the pitch."