Leeds United are gearing up for their second pre-season game in the US as they take on Sunderland on Friday. The Whites suffered defeat in their first taste of action this summer.
Championship side Wrexham managed to scrape a 3-2 win in Tampa Bay.
Joel Piroe and Sean Longstaff were on the score sheet for Daniel Farke’s side in the defeat. Phil Parkinson’s side managed to steal a win at the death as Sam Smith scored a late winner.
After the match, Farke said he was more focused on building fitness levels than the actual result.
“Pre-season you build a foundation for the whole season. It is most important that you do lots of physical work. You need this endurance, this fitness level during the whole season.” he told LUTV.
Five players could miss Leeds United clash vs Sunderland
Leeds United will face Premier League rivals on Friday in their second pre-season clash.
The Black Cats have had two games under their belt so far, against York and Liverpool. They faced York in England and played against Andoni Iraola’s side in their first game in the US.
Multiple players could be missing for the game that will take place in Harrison, New Jersey.
Sunderland already have five players confirmed to be missing the game; Granit Xhaka, Omar Alderete, Jocelin Ta Bi, Thomas Meunier and Chemsdine Talbi. Ta Bi is absent due to visa issues, while the rest of the players had an extra week of rest due to the World Cup.
Leeds United also had question marks going into the Wrexham game.
Four players missed the game entirely. Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed out due to injury concerns, while new signing Tarik Muharemovic was not in the matchday squad.
Both sides will be hoping to avoid any more knocks on Friday.
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Will Leeds get key deals done before the US tour ends?
After the Sunderland game, Leeds will have one more match in the US.
They will play Liverpool in Chicago as the final leg of their tour, before they return to England to face RB Liepzig at Elland Road.
This means that there will three days to get potential signings through the door. It looks very unlikely, but so far it looks like the only deal that could be completed in that time is for James Trafford.
Daniel Farke has placed a lot of emphasis on summer training camps and he will continue to do so.
But with how things are looking, any new Leeds signing will have to meet up with the team in England.
