Jesse Marsch faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his first pre-match press conference of the new season. The Leeds United head coach will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Saturday visit.
Here is a run-down of some of the main topics on the agenda for the American to address at the training ground today.
Injuries
The major update to follow up on is with Liam Cooper, who Marsch said had been due to return for training on Monday. We should expect some clarity on how the captain has fared on the training field since then.
TAKE PART: Squad concerns, new arrivals, Jesse Marsch approval - 'The Big Leeds United Forum'
Luis Sinisterra and Adam Forshaw were rated as being one week from returning, so Marsch should have a clearer idea on where that pair are at with just three days of this week remaining. Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo are still more than a week away and may have moveable return dates, though there should be some clarity on Kristoffer Klaesson, who is understood to have taken a knock last weekend behind closed doors.
Transfers
The perennial question managers are never more than a few days away from at a time. Marsch made it clear additions to the seven signings already made were wanted at the weekend.
Klaesson’s injury is understood to have escalated interest in a new back-up goalkeeper, while fresh news on credible links at left-back and striker has gone quiet. Marsch’s perception on where his squad is at with two days before kick-off will be useful, especially after talks with Andrea Radrizzani this week.
Left-back
Pascal Struijk looks likely to be the man Marsch lands on as his Firpo stop-gap. How hard is a new full-back being chased and how comfortable is he with Struijk playing competitive games there for three or four weeks?
Maric’s impact
Rene Maric was in the dugout for his first game on Sunday at Elland Road and his off-field gestures with the staff and players were already evident. Given how highly rated the 29-year-old is, it will be interesting to see if Marsch addresses the kind of impact already made by Maric on the training field.
A new Wolves system?
Reports from the West Midlands would suggest Wolves will be switching to a back four next season, in a move which could even see captain Conor Coady relegated to the bench. After so much success for the past five years as a back three, notably at Elland Road, Marsch may be asked to pin down the weaknesses in this new tactic from Bruno Lage.
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