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Farke on 'reliable' Darlow and promotion belief

Farke on 'reliable' Darlow and promotion belief

BBC News03-04-2025
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media ahead of their Championship trip to Luton Town on Saturday (12.30 BST).Here are the key lines:Farke confirmed that Karl Darlow will replace Illan Meslier in goal for the trip to Kenilworth Road. On Darlow: "I have a reliable and proper option in Darlow. An experienced goalkeeper, proven at this level, top class character. I know he hasn't played many league games in the last few years, but he performs really well every day in training, loyal and in a good moment right now because he's played two solid performances for Wales. He's in a good rhythm so we got the feeling in this moment, heading into a nervy crunch time period, feeling the pressure, it's the right time to take this decision."Patrick Bamford and Max Wober are in training and are "in the mix" after long term injuries. Willy Gnonto is ready to start if available following his ankle injury. No further injuries.On belief the club will be promoted: "It's my honest feeling, I'm not nervous at all, I'm totally calm and cool that we'll play in the Premier League next season. I'm older and have experience of a few situations. I've been involved in promotion battles in my managerial career, won the title and promotion five times. You get a feeling if you have a team that will make it and I wouldn't speak about it if I wasn't 100% convinced. "Of course at this stage you can't guarantee you'll finish in the top two, the race is too tight. We have strong opponents with Sheffield United, Burnley, even Sunderland have an outside chance. I can't guarantee top two, but I still think we have a great chance to finish top two and if not then the play-offs."On coping with Luton's likely physical approach: "I can't prevent this and this will be exactly the fact. Everyone expected Luton to be in a better position this season. They have many players who played Premier League last season, they have Premier League physicality and right now a good run of form. Last five games, they're in position five in the form table. They know they need each and every point."Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
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