Sacking situation, midfield switch and three Leeds United injury doubts on Farke's agenda

Daniel Farke faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United manager will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the Cardiff City 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.

Who’s injured?

Daniel James was ruled out in Farke’s last pre-match press conference until, barring miraculous progress, the other side of the next international break. There is likely to be a check on how the last week has gone for him, but there are others who need checking on too.

READ MORE:Leeds United attacker has already been told what he needs to improve to fulfil potential

READ MORE:'The new Erling Haaland' - Daniel Farke snaps back at Leeds United critics after loss

Max Wober was absent with a knee issue at the weekend. Patrick Bamford was absent, but had been training for m ost of last week with the team. Meanwhile, Joe Rodon came off before the end of last weekend’s loss with his head bandaged and a hip complaint.

Bulut and Cardiff expectation

Saturday’s hosts have picked up one point from the first 15 available to them this season. It is the worst start a Bluebirds side has made to a season for 35 years. Given how volatile Vincent Tan has been in the past, there is some surprise Erol Bulut is yet, at the time of writing, to be sacked.

Farke could be asked what he has made of Bulut’s plight, Cardiff’s start, but also the expectation virtually all Leeds fans will have that their side wins this match. With the Welsh side in such poor form, United need to return home with three points.

Where does Farke tweak this team?

The manager is never going to reveal anything remotely tactical in a pre-match press conference because of Cardiff’s readers and viewers. However, there could be one line of questioning around his midfield combination.

While captain Ethan Ampadu is surely safe in the selection, his partner, Ilia Gruev, has been performing a role far more attacking than he played last season. Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka may be growing temptations for Farke. He could be asked more about that and the need to respond to Saturday’s loss.

Does possession equate to domination?

Farke took encouragement from United’s domination of Burnley last weekend. How does he define domination though? Yes, the hosts bossed 71 per cent possession and hogged territory, but without really looking threatening in the second half.

The German could be asked to expand upon his assessment of last weekend’s loss, given the frustration in some sections of the fan base.

Is he keeping an eye on the loanees?

There are five United players currently away on loan. Jack Harrison, Darko Gyabi, Sam Greenwood, Sonny Perkins and Rasmus Kristensen have all been playing for their clubs since the start of the season.

How much attention is Farke paying to their progress now the transfer window is shut?