Daniel Farke is expected to welcome up to 10 Leeds United players back for pre-season training this morning. The Whites got pre-season underway last Monday as a handful of key men returned to West Yorkshire for the first time since the club’s relegation from the Premier League in May.
Those players underwent a series of fitness tests and examinations at Leeds Beckett University before heading out onto the Thorp Arch grass to begin training under new boss Farke later in the week. But, with the exception of Liam Cooper who returned earlier than expected, that group was missing the club’s international players.
Given their national team commitments over the summer months, those players were allowed an extended break before being expected to return to work this morning. As such, the likes of Rodrigo, who was in action with Spain last month, Max Wober, Rasmus Kristensen and Dan James are all due in today.
Of course, Brenden Aaronson will not be returning to the club after sealing his loan move to Union Berlin on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Cresswell isn’t expected to be back this morning, either.
Read more: Brenden Aaronson leaves Leeds United as summer exodus gathers pace under Daniel Farke
The centre-back has been in Georgia representing England at the European U21 Championships and he was an unused substitute on Saturday evening as the Three Lions saw off Spain the final to get their hands on the trophy for the first time in 39 years. As such, he’ll be allowed a little while longer to recuperate before returning.
Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville are thought to be on the list of players due for testing today, though, and given the uncertainty around their respective futures, the club may well be keen to sit down with them this week and clear up their intentions. Kristoffer Klaesson and Leo Hjelde were also competing in the U21s Euros but will return today.
Helder Costa is another who looks set to return today following his run out for Angola last month. The winger has spent the last two seasons away from Elland Road on loan, representing Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad last time around, after being deemed surplus to requirements. It remains to be seen if he has a role to play this season under Farke.
None of the above players are expected to be involved in Leeds’ first pre-season friendly on Wednesday, though, with United travelling to Oslo to take on Manchester United. The squad for that one will be made up by those who were in on day one as the late returnees get to work on the training ground.
