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Six question flags or outright absences loom over Leeds United as they prepare for the travel north to Sunderland, barely three days after their trudge to Norfolk. Ilia Gruev hobbling off from the field in the first half of Tuesday’s match was top on the list of undesired happenings, but Daniel Farke understands what a Championship season does to a squad.

The German’s desire for those last four transfers in the summer window is appearing wiser by the day, as he shuffles his slim deck around these absences. There are limits, however, to what his squad can cope with and he is clear they cannot afford any more selection blows, at least until he gets some of his wounded back in training.

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Rotation of the players he does have is vital to surviving such a difficult phase. It also serves to keep his fringe options onside when they can see Farke has faith in them.

“It’s always a tricky period, but I’m also used to it,” he said. “I’ve had a few games already in the Championship and know the load is sometimes incredible.

“This is really, even by Championship standards, a bit of a special occasion because three games within six days and then two away games as the second and the third game is a bit special. You have to adapt a bit to this situation.

“If you don’t use any options in your squad and try to share the minutes a little bit when you have three games in six days, then there’s never the time to do this. You have to do this because if you always would play just with 11 players through this game, you could send a completely different and wrong sign to the players in our squad.

“It’s important they all know they are needed and we also need them. It’s quite important.”

Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani were each pulled off before the conclusion of Tuesday’s draw with Norwich City, despite their clear impact on the home defence. Farke justified their choices, citing the need to keep both players healthy and prepared to play a part in Friday’s match.

“You monitor the players even more during the times when you are unlucky in terms of injuries, or when you have more injuries,” he stated. You mention wingers, for instance.

“We currently lack two incredibly crucial players in Daniel James and Manor Solomon. You also want to make sure players like Willy Gnonto or Ramazani are ready to start three games, potentially within six days.

“Normally you would mix it a bit up in the starting line-up, but to make sure they can start all three games within six days, and not just to start, but also to deliver, you speak a lot with the medical department. ‘What can we do to help their rehabilitation, their nutrition, their good habits, their sleep?’

“It’s important, from the sport science, to get advice. [Looking at] when their workload decreases down throughout a game, when they look to feel worried.