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There's no denying that Liverpool are enjoying a tremendous resurgence after falling by the wayside last season, with Jurgen Klopp's summer transfer activity fuelling the new era for "Liverpool 2.0" – as the German has coined his new-look team.

A fifth-placed Premier League finish in 2022/23 meant that the Anfield side's illustrious seven-year stay in the Champions League came to an end, but even qualifying for the Europa League looked unattainable before a brilliant late-season purple patch, laying the framework for this term's restored approach.

But this year, the remoulding of the midfield has thrown Liverpool back into contention for the Premier League title, having lost just one of the opening 15 fixtures – two points behind first-placed Arsenal and boasting a four-point cushion over Manchester City, who languish in fourth.

Liverpool's production line has not been the most prolific over the years – certainly when comparing the success of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea's academy numbers, but several key figures have filtered through over the years.

Steven Gerrard is the salient example, obviously, but Trent Alexander-Arnold is fashioning a career of immense proportions and Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are both talented young players with big futures ahead.

Breaking into the first team this year, Jarell Quansah has been the latest homegrown prospect to make a mark on Klopp's side, with the German manager unquestionably raising the standard of the formative fold alongside the silver-laden success that has rained down in red on Merseyside since his appointment in 2015.

Jarell Quansah's season in numbers

Quansah spent last season out on loan with League One side Bristol Rovers, joining on a short-term deal in January and making 16 appearances as the Somerset side finished 17th.

His manager at the time said this: “He’s as good on the ball that you’ll need to be in terms of building out from the back. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger, he’s going to get faster. His anticipation of the game is going to be better because more senior games get you that. He has an enormous future in front of him."

It's a testament to his talent that Klopp decided to focus his summer attention solely on the rebuilding of the engine room, not bolstering the backline despite clear signs that reinforcements were necessary.

Quansah was given a shot, and after impressing against Newcastle United on his Premier League debut as ten-man Liverpool clinched a resounding comeback victory, Alexander-Arnold heralded his "absolutely phenomenal" effort.

Having now chalked up ten senior showings for his outfit – earning an assist as Liverpool defeated Leicester City in the Carabao Cup – Quansah has proved his worth in the senior squad and won over the hearts of supporters, who eagerly anticipate his continuing rise to the top.

Featuring prominently in the Europa League, the 20-year-old has completed 91% of his passes, averaged 3.5 ball recoveries and 2.3 clearances per game and won a decent 56% of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

He's more than just a promising starlet and there is a real opportunity over the coming months for Quansah to stake a claim for increased responsibility following stricken Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury, with the 32-year-old Cameroonian also out of contract at the end of the campaign.

According to CIES Football Observatory's valuation model, the 6 foot 5 colossus is currently valued at £4m, and while this figure will only rise over the coming years, it's a reminder of how early into his professional career he is.

The Reds hold another player of even greater potential in Stefan Bajcetic, who has scarcely been seen since the early months of 2023 after sustaining an abductor injury to end his tremendous breakthrough campaign back in March but is undoubtedly a prodigious talent.

The fee Liverpool paid for Stefan Bajcetic

Bajcetic was signed from Celta Vigo for just £224k in December 2020 when he was just 16-years-old, with Klopp's side convincing him to join the club despite interest from Manchester United.

Now among the most exciting hopefuls in the ranks, Bajcetic made 33 appearances for Liverpool's youth sides, posting five goal contributions, before the first-team came calling, in need of something different.

The 19-year-old made his debut off the bench in the early phase of the 2022/23 campaign, entering the play as Liverpool trounced Bournemouth 9-0 in the Premier League.

Not featuring again until the end of the festive period, Bajcetic burst into life and cemented a prominent role in the team as Liverpool struggled for form.

Stefan Bajcetic's current market value

Described as "special" by journalist Zubin Daver, Bajcetic blitzed into life last season, with Liverpool's flagging midfield in desperate need of some energy and youthful exuberance, which the Spaniard brought in abundance.

Michael Owen (17y 141d)

Raheem Sterling (17y 317d)

Stefan Bajcetic (18y 65d)

Robbie Fowler (18y 191d)

Jamie Carragher (18y 356d)

*Sourced via Sky Sports

Scoring a brilliant goal against Aston Villa in December, Bajcetic ended up playing 11 times in the English top-flight, complementing his goal with a 79% pass success rate, also succeeding in 64% of his dribbles and winning 3.1 duels per game.

CIES Football Observatory now places the teenager at £17m, and given that there is still so much room for improvement and growth, musing over where he will be in a few years time is an exciting thought indeed.

FBref even liken Arsenal's Declan Rice to the "top player" – as he has been called by Klopp – and there is evidence that he will push for a starring role in the team over the coming years.

Unfortunately, he has been sidelined for the vast majority of the current campaign and has only made two appearances across cup competitions, also sitting four of the opening five Premier League matches on the bench, unused.

Liverpool are understood to be easing the player back, making no mistakes as they guide him back to fitness and allow his body to grow without hindering his development by throwing him into the deep end.

When he returns, though, there's no denying that a frisson of excitement will course throughout Anfield, and with the Spanish starlet joining Quansah in Liverpool's latest wave of talent, there is so much to look forward to for the club's ardent support.

Tottenham Hotspur’s early season dominance has faded in recent weeks, with Ange Postecoglou’s team failing to win any of their last five matches, despite taking the lead in each tie.

Injuries and suspensions to key players kickstarted the poor run of form, which has seen Spurs reside in fifth place in the Premier League table.

The Lilywhites have had no issues in the final third this campaign, netting in every single game, yet they have been defensively vulnerable as of late, conceding 2.6 goals per game on average over the last five matches.

With Richarlison and Brennan Johnson failing to take their opportunity on the left of the attack and the previous issue in mind, the boss may turn towards 21-year-old Italian, Destiny Udogie, who has particularly impressed going forward since being drafted into the starting XI at left back.

Spurs transfer news – Samuel Iling-Junior

Postecoglou is keen to reinforce the left-side of his team, with Samuel Iling-Junior reportedly among the transfer targets, according to TuttoSport via SportsWitness.

Juventus are open to offloading the England U21 international, as he has failed to nail down a spot in the starting XI and his contract expires in 2025.

The move could be completed in January and contact has already been made between the two clubs ahead of a possible transfer next month.

How Samuel Iling-Junior compares to Destiny Udogie

The potential acquisition of Iling-Junior may have a domino effect on the positioning of Spurs’ left-hand side. The Juventus wide player is a “flamboyant” – as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – and versatile individual, who can comfortably operate all down the left, just like Udogie, and has often been deployed as a left wing-back for the Italian outfit.

The two players share similar strengths, including successful take-ons, progressive carries, and tackles, as shown in the table below.

Successful take-ons

1.58

1.42

Progressive carries

3.61

3.01

Tackles

2.51

2.85

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.35

0.63

Shot-creating actions

2.61

2.85

From a positional standpoint, the current Spurs full-back has shown his ability to invert at times this season, whereas Iling-Junior thrives as a touchline player.

Therefore, the manager has the option to field Udogie as a left-winger, who can come inside in possession to breakdown opponents with his hypnotising dribbling, whilst still having a threat on the wing via the 6 foot Juventus youngster.

The ex-Udinese star has already showcased glimpses of how dangerous he can be in the final third, registering two assists and ranking in the 97th percentile for touches in the opponent’s box. He has also missed two big chances this season, which shows he can find himself in goal-scoring positions, but his current biggest downfall is his decision-making, but that should naturally improve with more experience.

Tottenham would be an extremely difficult to side to breach if Udogie is opted for in a higher role, as they could form a solid 4-5-1 out of possession with the two wingers tucking in and aiding the full-back. This could have been useful over the last month, when Spurs have been far too easy to breach.

The number 38 who idolised legendary left back Marcelo when he was growing up, boasts impressive defensive stats, making 3.08 tackles per game, 1.54 interceptions, and 3.34 clearances, so despite showing signs of inexperience, his underlying statistics are amongst the best in the Premier League this season.

Any left-back who possesses attacking traits – such as Iling-Junior – and Udogie as a duo, would work superbly and provide balance at both ends of the field, in and out of possession.

The Spurs faithful have experienced a young left back be converted to a flying winger with incredible pace and carrying ability previously, and Udogie could follow in the footsteps of Gareth Bale.

Wrexham are reportedly keen on keeping Arthur Okonkwo, but questions are being asked of whether Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can afford him.

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• Keeper has impressed during loan spell
• Due to hit free agency this summer
• Red Dragons not the only interested party

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Arsenal-owned goalkeeper has spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at SToK Racecourse. He has started 34 of their 44 League Two fixtures this season, with a starring role played in the Red Dragons wrapping up a top-three finish and back-to-back promotions.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Okonkwo, who is just 22 years of age, will be available this summer as his contract at Emirates Stadium is about to expire. According to , his exploits in North Wales mean that a “scramble for his signature” will be sparked once hitting free agency.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wrexham intend to form part of that clamour, after seeing Okonkwo named in the League Two Team of the Season, but his wages are considered to be a stumbling block. The Red Dragons have been covering less than half of his salary during a productive loan spell, with Arsenal picking up the rest of that tab.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OKONKWO?

  Funds will be made available to Phil Parkinson as Wrexham ready themselves for life in League One, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be pieced together that suits all parties and allows Okonkwo to extend his association with the most ambitious of EFL clubs.

Lahore Blues outgunned by SNGPLIt doesn’t say much about a team that loses by an innings to a side that only managed 258, but such was Lahore Blues’ performance in this crunch Super Eight match. It was a nine-wicket match haul by Imran Khalid that beset Lahore most, playing a large part in ensuring they were bowled out for 122 and 108 either side of SNGPL’s innings. Iftikhar Ahmed was primarily responsible for getting SNGPL to 258, scoring 125, a number the entire Lahore side failed to manage in either of their innings. It leaves Lahore at the bottom of the table after two losses from two, while a perfect record for SNGPL sees them take top spot.Zahid Mansoor spins WAPDA to innings winKhan Research Laboratories met a similarly ignominious fate, unable to total up to the 296 WAPDA scored in their one innings. KRL stumbled to 12 for 5 in the first innings, setting the tone for the match. Their 110 was answered by 296 from WAPDA thanks to a number of middle-order contributions, notably half-centuries from Abubakar Khan and Kamran Akmal. The 186-run lead they established was too much to overhaul for KRL, with Zahid Mansoortaking another four wickets to go with his four in the first innings, while Waqas Maqsood, recently called up to the Pakistan T20I side, took another three as KRL were wrapped up for 162.Heavyweights SSGC, HBL play out stalemateTwo of the heavyweights on the domestic circuit, SSGC and HBL, couldn’t be separated over four days, a grinding battle ending with the points shared. After Aamer Yamin’s 80 had taken SSGC to 211, after Khurram Shehzad had wiped out five of the top six, HBL responded with 274, with eight of the top nine getting into double figures. Zohaib Khan scored 65 as captain Imran Farhat chipped in with 44, while the national selectors will have been pleased to see Mohammad Amir take a five-wicket haul.In the second innings, SSGC were far more impressive, declaring at 380 for five, with Fawad Alam the top-scorer, unbeaten on 85. The target of 318 was never on for HBL, but they were able to avoid being bowled out, batting nearly 90 overs, with Farhat scoring 77, before the two sides shook hands with four HBL players till undismissed.

Shakib will be out of action for at least three months but if the pain subsides he may not need further surgery

Mohammad Isam09-Oct-2018Shakib Al Hasan received good news on Tuesday when the medical report about his injured finger confirmed that the infection was under control. However, the allrounder will remain on antibiotics – given in injection form – for another week before he can leave Melbourne and begin his rehabilitation process back home.There was visible improvement around the infected area on the base of his little finger on his left hand. Doctors in Dhaka had to remove pus from his hand last week after it had swollen quite badly while Shakib was playing the Asia Cup in the UAE last month.”The report is good. The infection is under control. Full recovery will take time though,” Shakib told after he spent the last two days at a hospital in Melbourne under Dr Greg Hoy.After he completes the antibiotics course, Dr Hoy will have another look at the infected finger before prescribing the next course of action. According to the rehabilitation process, Shakib will be out of action for three months but if the pain subsides, he may not need further surgery.

تحدث النجم الأرجنتيني، ليونيل ميسي، لأول مرة بعد التتويج ببطولة كوبا أمريكا 2024 في الساعات الأولى من صباح يوم الإثنين على حساب كولومبيا.

وخاض منتخب الأرجنتين نهائي كوبا أمريكا أمام كولومبيا، حيث فاز راقصو التانجو بهدف قاتل، سجله لاوتارو مارتينيز في الدقيقة 116.

وشارك ليونيل ميسي في تلك المباراة كأساسي، ولكنه تعرض لإصابة قوية على مستوى الكاحل أجبرته على الخروج في الدقيقة 66.

وظهر ميسي وهو يبكي بشدة على مقاعد البدلاء بعد استبداله، حيث بدا متأثرًا بحجم إصابته.

اقرأ أيضًا | ما بين الإجبار على الاعتزال واعتلاء عرش كرة القدم.. دموع ميسي تتكرر في أمريكا

وكتب ميسي عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إنستجرام، منذ قليل: “لقد انتهت بطولة كوبا أمريكا وأول شيء أريده هو أن أشكر الجميع على الرسائل والتحيات”.

وأضاف: “أنا بخير والحمد لله، آمل أن أعود إلى الملعب قريبًا مجددًا مستمتعًا بما أحب القيام به أكثر”.

وواصل: “أنا سعيد، سعيد للغاية، خاصة لأننا حققنا الهدف الذي كان لدينا وجعلنا دي ماريا يغادرنا ومعه كأس أخرى، اللاعبون كبار السن، مثل دي ماريا وأوتامندي وأنا، عاشوا ذلك بعاطفة خاصة، مع زملائهم الآخرين الذين لعبوا بالفعل عدة بطولات ويمتلكون تجربتهم كذلك، ومع مجموعة من الشباب الذين يقدمون كل ما لديهم مع كل كرة، نحن فريق وأيضًا عائلة، مجموعة مذهلة”.

وأردف: “شكرًا لكل من دعمنا، هذا المنتخب الوطني لديه الكثير من الحاضر والكثير من المستقبل أيضًا، دعونا نذهب، هيا بنا أرجنتين”.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Na Arena, o Grêmio apresentou um bom nível de jogo e bateu o Goiás por 2 a 1, na noite desta segunda-feira. Com o placar, o Tricolor fica na 7ª posição do Campeonato Brasileiro, com 37 pontos. O Esmeraldino é o lanterna, com 16 pontos.

> Confira a tabela do Brasileirão

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Na próxima rodada, o Grêmio mede forças com o Vasco da Gama, em casa. O Goiás disputa jogo atrasado diante do São Paulo, na Serrinha.

O duelo

O início do Grêmio foi fulminante. Com um ritmo forte, o Tricolor não dava espaço ao Goiás e enfileirou chances para marcar. Foram pelo menos três momentos claros que ficaram em boas defesas de Tadeu.

De tanto insistir, aos 18 minutos o gol saiu. Tadeu saiu errado e jogou nos pés de Jean Pyerre, que só teve o trabalho de ajeitar o corpo e bater na saída do goleiro, 1 a 0.

Sem presença de ataque, o Goiás só levou perigo aos 30 minutos com Fernandão, que parou em ótima intervenção de Vanderlei. A resposta do Grêmio veio antes do intervalo com Ferreira. No passe de Jean Pyerre, o atacante saiu na cara de Tadeu e ficou no goleiro.

Na etapa final o panorama do confronto mudou. O Goiás se lançou ao ataque e resolveu assustar o Grêmio. Na bola parada, a bola sobrou com David Duarte, que cabeceou e carimbou o poste.

Após o susto, o Tricolor colocou a cabeça no lugar e voltou a habitar o ataque. Na primeira chance, Luiz Fernando carimbou o poste. Na segunda, Maicon recebeu cruzamento rasteiro e mandou para a rede. Inicialmente o bandeira anulou, mas o VAR confirmou a jogada lega.

O Goiás voltou ao jogo na casa dos 24 minutos. João Marcos recebeu nas costas da defesa, entrou na grande área e estufou as redes de Vanderlei.

Com a vantagem, o Tricolor aumentou o ritmo de jogo no ataque e teve outras chances para ampliar. Na melhor delas, Everton, sozinho na grande ára, soltou a bomba e Tadeu fez milagre. Mas não fez falta, o 2 a 1 estava sacramentado.

GRÊMIO 2 X 1 GOIÁS
Local: Arena Grêmio, Porto Alegre (RS)
Data-Hora: 30/11/2020 – 18h
Árbitro: Savio Pereira Sampaio (DF)
Auxiliares: Kléber Lucui Gil (SC) e Jonny Barros de Oliveira (RS)
VAR: Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ)
Cartões amarelos:Lucas Silva (GRE), David Duarte, Miguel Figueira (GOI)
Cartões vermelhos: –
Gols: Jean Pyerre (18’/1ºT) Maicon (19’/2ºT) João Marcos (24’/2ºT)

GRÊMIO: Vanderlei; Victor Ferraz (Orejuela, aos 29/2ºT), Geromel, Rodrigues e Diogo Barbosa; Maicon (Lucas Silva, aos 28/2ºT), Matheus Henrique e Jean Pyerre; Luiz Fernando (Everton, aos 33/2ºT), Diego Souza (Churín, aos 28/2ºT) e Ferreira (Pepê, aos 16/2ºT). Técnico: Renato Gaúcho.

GOIÁS: Tadeu; Taylon (Heron, ao 0/2ºT), David Duarte, Fábio Sanches e Jefferson; Breno, Ariel Cabral, Miguel Figueira (Henrique, aos 36/2ºT), Shaylon (João Marcos, aos 21/2ºT) e Keko (Rodrigues, ao 0/2ºT); Fernandão (Rafael Moura, ao 0/2ºT). Técnico: Glauber Ramos.

Seekkuge Prasanna made good use of his early arrival in England for the Vitality Blast as he bowled Northants to a second successive Championship win

ECB Reporters Network28-Jun-2018

Seekkuge Prasanna in action for Sri Lanka•Getty Images

ScorecardNorthants took the final six Glamorgan wickets for 69 runs on the fourth morning to complete a comprehensive 233-run victory and record their second successive Championship win of the season.They also moved away from bottom place in Division Two, after outplaying a Glamorgan team who, after winning their opening game, have lost four of their last five championship games, and won only one of their eight Royal London 50 over matches.They were again let down by their batting, with only Usman Khawaja scoring over fifty in both innings, while there seven half centuries for Northants, whose batsmen showed far more application on a pitch of irregular bounce.Northants’ decision to bring their Sri Lankan legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna over a week early, ahead of the Vitality Blast, played dividends as he finished with four wickets in the second innings.Glamorgan resumed on 121 for 4 in their second innings, and soon lost their nightwatchman Timm van der Gugten, who fatally played back to Prasanna and was leg before on the back foot.Kiran Carlson meanwhile was fortunate to survive against the Sri Lankan leg spinner, twice edging deliveries wide of the slip cordon. He was joined by Chris Cooke who appeared more comfortable against Prasanna, twice striking him through extra cover for four.The fifth wicket pair had added 48 before Carlson, aiming to drive expansively at a wide ball, edged one in Brett Hutton’s opening over of the morning, to wicketkeeper Adam Rossington after scoring 32.Cooke was the next to go when he was bowled by Hutton; undone by a ball that kept very low, Cooke almost ended up on his knees as he tried unsuccessfully to get his bat down in time.The procession continued as Nathan Buck came on for his first over of the day, and with his first ball, trapped Ruaidhri Smith leg before with his opening. When Prem Sisodiya was caught at silly mid off to give Prasanna his fourth wicket, the players shook hands as Glamorgan captain Michael Hogan was absent and unable to bat.Glamorgan’s head coach, Robert Croft, sounded relieved that T20 cricket was around the corner: “This defeat had a common thread that we need to improve on,” he said. “We are not capitalising on the starts we are having, whether it’s a lack of concentration or inexperience. We are developing a young team that I’m sure will improve, but possibly we might have to bring in a senior player into the team for the next game or two.”

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is heading to Hampshire for the Blast – and, at 17, he will make England’s legspin novice Mason Crane look an old man by comparison

ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-2018

Mujeeb Ur Rahman appeals for a wicket•BCCI

Hampshire have signed the tyro Afghanistan spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman for this year’s Vitality T20 Blast competition, pinning their faith in a 17-year-old legspinner who has already stood up impressively to the pressures of interntional cricket and IPL.Mujeeb, who first shot to priminence by becoming the first international cricketer born in the 21st century, and became the youngest IPL debutant at 17 years 11 days when he turned out for Kings XI Punjab, will be avalable for the entire tournament.Mujeeb’s signing is bound to overshadow the capture of the explosive New Zealand batsman Colin Munro, whose arrival at the Ageas Bowl this summer has also been confirmed. Munro will remain until his Caribbean Premier League commitments in August.Hampshire are banking on a continuation of Mujeeb’s extraordinary entrance into the professional game. He has burst onto the scene in the last 12 months with his ability to bowl ripping off-breaks, leg-breaks and googlies.The 17-year-old first impressed as part of an Afghanistan U19 side that claimed a historic victory in the Under-19 Asia Cup in 2017, and his performances as leading wicket-taker there earned him a full international debut at the age of just 16.Composed beyond his years, he was also a key factor in Afghanistan’s success in the 2019 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament earlier this year, helping secure their place at next year’s full tournament hosted in England and Wales.Those achievements and his ability to bowl match-winning spells saw him selected by Kings XI Punjab for more than 600,000 USD in this year’s IPL, taking 14 wickets to date.He could team up with Hampshire’s legspinner, Mason Crane, who became England’s youngest specialist spinner to make a Test debut for 90 years against Australia in Sydney in January and whose performance brought more praise than his return of 1 for 193 might suggest.Crane suffered a stress fracture playing for England Lions in the West Indies in February, but he is back in full training and could make a return in the Royal London Cup this weekend.Described supportively by the Lions coach, Andy Flower as “still a work in progress”, Crane, 21, might benefit from observing the confidence and maturity of Rahman, who is nearly four years younger and who brings a whole new meaning to the term “inexperienced”.Munro, 31, offers less delicate skills but his record suggests he can also have a sizeable impact. He boasts an average of 33.51 and a strike-rate of 163.59 in 45 T20Is for New Zealand, and is second in the ICC’s World T20I batting rankings.The 31-year-old is the only player to score three T20I centuries in the history of the game and has been involved in the best T20 competitions across the world, including the Big Bash and Indian Premier League, where he’s currently featuring for Delhi Daredevils.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke hasn't had the easiest of starts to his spell at Elland Road and may have been dealt another blow due to injury ahead of their trip to face Millwall, according to reports.

What's the latest news involving Leeds United?

In a surprise development, Football Insider have reported that Leeds United are believed to be keen to open talks over a new contract for attacker Wilfried Gnonto, who previously had a cloud over his future at Elland Road.

Everton had been keen admirers of the Italy international during the transfer window; however, they couldn't come to an agreement with Leeds United over a deal for the former FC Zurich man. Gnonto is now believed to be focused on winning promotion back to the Premier League with Leeds United following a summer of turbulence surrounding his potential next career steps.

Former Leeds United player David Prutton has laid down the gauntlet to the Whites ahead of their powderkeg clash against Millwall at The Den this Sunday, stating in conversation on the Sky Sports Championship Predictions Podcast: "Leeds, all the faffing about with players, all the consignation about who’s there and who’s not, who wants to stay there and who’s moved on, all these ridiculous statements coming out from players that have moved on. Now is the time for the people that have been left to pull their fingers out.

"It’ll be tough, a very tough one against a Millwall side that, as we’ve seen, have got plenty of fight in them in regards to how they’re led by Gary Rowett."

Journalist Ben Jacobs has informed GIVEMESPORT that Leeds United could still enter the free agent market for another left-back reinforcement if the right opportunity comes along at Elland Road.

Who is a doubt to face Millwall this weekend?

The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has supplied quotes from Leeds United boss Farke on the runners and riders to be involved against Millwall this Sunday, as well as those who may miss out on taking part, posting on social media platform X: "Farke on injuries: Bamford still out, will miss all of the next three games. Firpo also missing this weekend, setback with a hip. Spence a doubt with a knee problem. Cooper, Byram, James back in training. Dallas is making good progress, Farke says."

Most of these issues were already widely known, but Djed Spence, who only arrived at Elland Road in the summer on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, has made just one cameo appearance for Leeds United in their 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, as per Transfermarkt, and now look set for a spell on the sidelines.

Cited by The Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke has explained in full the back story surrounding Spence's injury concerns, saying: "There is a question mark about Djed Spence. First of all, he missed some sessions in some days due to private reasons and then yesterday (Thursday), in training, he got a knock on his knee – his lateral ligament. We need to wait for some further assessment. It was not possible to train today (Friday), so I would label it as a major doubt for the weekend."

Despite Spence potentially missing the trip to London, Leeds United fans will take heart from the fact several of their first-team players are making positive tracks to re-enter the fold in the near future.