Leeds United’s preparations for this weekend’s Championship play-off semi-final are well under way as they look to complete a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Whites, whose regular season ended with a whimper having picked up one victory from their final six league games, travel to Carrow Road for a lunchtime kick-off against Norwich City. The Canaries were beaten by Birmingham City on the final day, but remained in the top six ahead of Hull City.
Daniel Farke is hopeful that a number of his first-team squad will be available for the trip to East Anglia on Sunday, with Connor Roberts’ second-half introduction against Southampton a welcome return. Both Patrick Bamford and Daniel James were notable absentees, but the Leeds boss is hopeful that the pair can put themselves in contention for two of the biggest games in their season to date.
But for the Canaries, they will be sweating on the fitness of Ashley Barnes heading into the sides’ 63rd meeting in all competitions. The striker has scored just once in 12 appearances against Leeds, and it looks as though he will be unable to add to that tally ahead of this weekend’s encounter.
During their penultimate game of their league campaign against Swansea City, Barnes was introduced as a second-half substitute for Borja Sainz for the final 20 minutes at Carrow Road. But just a quarter of an hour after is introduction, the veteran forward was forced off the pitch, with scans later revealing a calf injury had been sustained.
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