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Leeds United face Sheffield United on Friday with several of their key players not due back from international duty until just a day or two before the game.
Six members of Daniel Farke’s squad were due to represent their respective countries today, with Ao Tanaka kicking things off for Japan earlier.
Tanaka played the full 90 minutes as Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by Australia in their fourth World Cup qualifying match, though thankfully it appears he came through unscathed.
That said, Tanaka now has a long flight ahead of him to get back to West Yorkshire and be ready for the Yorkshire derby at Elland Road on Friday.
Mateo Joseph, Charlie Crew, Wilfried Gnonto, Junior Firpo and Brenden Aaronson are the other five players due to be in action.
READ MORE: Daniel Farke handed major boost as key Leeds duo return to full team training at Thorp Arch after injury
Leeds handed potential Mateo Joseph boost
After Tanaka, Joseph was the next Leeds player set to take to the field for his country, but that will not actually be the case.
Joseph netted a first half hattrick on his first Spain U21s start against Kazakhstan last Thursday, but will not get the chance to follow that up today.
Spain host Malta U21s in their final Euro’s qualifier of the campaign but according to UEFA, Joseph has been left out of the squad completely.
Joseph has been replaced in the starting line-up by Samu Omorodion but perhaps surprisingly, is not even on the bench.
The reason for Joseph’s omission is at this stage unclear, however he has already played a lot of football this season and managing his load carefully would certainly be sensible.
Spain are already qualified anyway, and face a Malta side who haven’t even picked up a single point during qualifying.
The ‘brilliant‘ Joseph did not appear to pick up an kind of injury against Kazakhstan, and so unless he has picked up an injury in training over the last few days, this is a welcome boost for Farke.
READ MORE: What Joe Rodon did in Wales win over Montenegro that left national media very impressed
Spain’s Joseph usage could see him return to Leeds starting XI
Joseph started all of Leeds’ opening eight matches of the Championship season but was dropped to the bench last time out at Sunderland.
Farke has been pleased with Joseph’s performances this term but there have, of course, been question marks over his return of just one goal.
However, with over a week of recovery under his belt providing he has not picked up an injury, Farke could be tempted to recall him against Sheffield United.
Joseph may well return in place of Brenden Aaronson, who is not in action for USA until 3.30am BST tonight, with Joel Piroe dropping into the number 10 spot.
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