Tyler Adams's Leeds United injury timeframe among four…

Tyler Adams's Leeds United injury timeframe among four absentees on Javi Gracia's agenda

Javi Gracia faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United head coach will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the Wolverhampton Wanderers clash on Saturday.

Here is a run-down of some of the main topics on the agenda for the boss to address at the training ground today.

Injury latest

There is likely to be the typical reticence to give too much away on injuries from Gracia unless the media can sculpt their questions in a particularly elusive way. Tyler Adams, we know, will be missing from Saturday’s match in the biggest blow of the week.

The head coach will be pressed for more specifics on how long the USA captain may be out for and whether that daunting Arsenal trip on April 1 is under threat. Adam Forshaw, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas are the other injury concerns.

Adams replacements

Last week’s matchday selections would suggest Gracia will favour Weston McKennie or Sam Greenwood to be straight swaps for Adams on Saturday. The Spaniard will be asked what losing Adams does to his system and how the various alternatives will affect the balance he is trying to instil.

Darko Gyabi, who did not make the 20-man cut last weekend, has impressed with the under-21s recently and may be asked about.

Attacking resources

Gyabi’s exclusion from last weekend’s squad was a reflection of the strength in depth now available to Gracia. If neither Luis Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Georginio Rutter nor Wilfried Gnonto can get a start it says a lot for the faith and fitness on the field.

Gracia may well be asked about the various alternatives he has in the final third and whether the long-term form of Rodrigo and Gnonto warrants selection over inconsistent performers like Brenden Aaronson or Jack Harrison.

Lopetegui

A cursory glance of Julen Lopetegui’s profile would suggest he and Gracia have only crossed swords as managers twice in their entire careers. The latter’s one season with Valencia in 20/21 saw him meet Lopetegui’s Sevilla once in La Liga and once in the Copa Del Rey.

Gracia would lose both games. The Spaniard may be asked about his compatriot and what we can come to expect from his Wolves side.

International break

There is the small matter of the Wolves game to get through first, but the international break is looming large. It should prove to be a critical fortnight for Gracia and his players without any distractions.

The head coach may be pushed on what he hopes to work on during that break and how valuable an opportunity it will be given how little time he has had at Thorp Arch.