Leeds United’s preparations for their much-anticipated return to the Premier League have hit an unexpected speed bump. Daniel Farke’s side kicked off their summer schedule with a competitive 3-2 defeat against Championship outfit Wrexham. While pre-season friendly results rarely tell the full story—especially considering Wrexham were significantly further along in their fitness regimen—the game brought to light a growing concern regarding squad fitness.
Behind the scenes, a handful of crucial first-team stars are currently managing physical setbacks, leaving the coaching staff sweating on their recoveries with less than four weeks to go before the opening clash against Nottingham Forest.
Four Key Players Facing Fitness Battles
According to reports from The Athletic, Leeds are actively managing four distinct fitness concerns within the camp as they look to fine-tune their roster for top-flight survival.
High-profile forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin was noticeably absent from the squad against Wrexham and is currently training away from the main group after suffering a minor pre-season setback. The club’s medical staff is monitoring his progress closely, exercising extreme caution to ensure he is fully fit before reintroducing him to full contact work.
In defense, summer arrivals Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw were both held back as a precaution. Bijol is nursing a minor training knock, while Bornauw has been managing fitness niggles that kept him out of Saturday’s fixture. Fortunately, club insiders believe these issues are minor, raising hopes that both defenders could return to action during Thursday’s upcoming pre-season test against Sunderland.
Meanwhile, midfielder Ilia Gruev remains deep in rehabilitation following the serious knee injury he sustained toward the end of last season, meaning a return to competitive action is still some way off. Additionally, international stars like Ao Tanaka and Gabriel Gudmundsson are currently playing catch-up on their match sharpness after returning late from extended summer breaks following World Cup duty.
Looking Ahead to Sunderland and Beyond
Despite the early turbulence, manager Daniel Farke remains calm as the squad builds toward their demanding pre-season schedule, which includes high-profile fixtures against Liverpool, RB Leipzig, Manchester United, and FC Augsburg.
With vital friendlies coming thick and fast, getting key players like Calvert-Lewin, Bijol, and Bornauw back onto the pitch will be priority number one for the coaching staff. If Leeds can clear up their treatment room in the coming days, the Whites will be in prime position to mount a strong statement upon their return to the Premier League elite.
Do you think Leeds United will overcome these early injury worries in time for the new Premier League season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
