Three Leeds United players with a point to prove as Daniel Farke turns to fringes

With many regulars on international duty, Daniel Farke has a window to work with Leeds United’s fringes before an FA Cup quarter-final at West Ham in 11 days and a seven-game league run-in.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, 12 first-team players are away, and only Jayden Bogle and Pascal Struijk of the regular starters remain at Thorp Arch. That gives others a chance to impress.

Lucas Perri’s debut season has turned testing, installed as first choice then dropped in January after costly errors against Manchester United and Newcastle. Karl Darlow has restored stability and will almost certainly be in goal at Old Trafford, although Perri could get West Ham in the cup. As the only Leeds goalkeeper tied beyond this summer, Perri now needs to prove he can be next season’s first choice.

With Leeds goalless in four league games, Willy Gnonto will feel there is a gap to seize. He has started just four, sits behind Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson, saw Daniel James preferred at Brentford, and after missing Italy’s squad he will be desperate to break back in as Burnley and Wolves await.

Facundo Buonanotte’s January loan from Brighton has yet to take off. He arrived after barely featuring for Chelsea, but 26 minutes and no top-flight squad place since a difficult 45-minute FA Cup outing at Birmingham City show the rust. Two uninterrupted weeks with the staff now precede West Ham, which could offer the reset his loan needs.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk