Leeds United can reclaim a place in the automatic promotion spots with a win against Millwall tonight in the Championship. Sheffield United’s victory on Tuesday moved Leeds down to third, but a win at The Den would push them back up to second.
Daniel Farke’s team has been in excellent form, with just one defeat in their first 13 games. Their recent Championship fixture was a dominant 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road, featuring early goals from Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, and Dan James.
After narrowly missing promotion last season, Leeds and Farke are aiming for a top-two finish this time around. Keeping key players healthy will be essential, especially following long-term injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. Managing Dan James’ fitness is also critical to avoid further setbacks.
James, who recently returned after a hamstring injury kept him out for over a month, missed six games before rejoining the lineup on October 16. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that he recently had to sit out a training session to manage lingering hamstring concerns, though he resumed by Thursday and Friday before starting against Plymouth. Journalist Graham Smyth emphasized the need to manage James’ minutes carefully, particularly given the busy schedule ahead.
With three games approaching before the next international break, Farke may consider limiting James’ playing time to avoid aggravating his injury. Following tonight’s game, Leeds face Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Playing James in both matches might be too demanding on his hamstring, which is still in recovery.
While benching James might impact the lineup, Farke must weigh the risk of overplaying him versus keeping him fit for the long term. James has already made a strong impact this season, scoring two goals in five starts, including a powerful strike against Plymouth.
The 26-year-old showcased his value last season, consistently threatening opponents with his pace and attacking skills on the wing. Given the demanding schedule, resting him now could help prevent further injuries and keep him fit for the crucial winter fixtures.
Resting James would also open the door for another player to step in. With Largie Ramazani unavailable due to injury, Farke could give Manor Solomon a start on the wing. The Tottenham loanee made a strong impression during his recent appearance against Plymouth, completing all four of his dribbles and winning eight of nine duels. Although Solomon has yet to score or assist in five Championship games, he displayed his potential in his debut against Hull, with journalist Adam Pope praising his “fantastic” performance and describing him as on a “different level.”
Starting Solomon tonight could give him a chance to build on his recent performances and strengthen his case for regular playing time. This would allow Farke to rest James, carefully managing his recovery while keeping him available for Leeds’ ongoing promotion push.
