Leeds boss Daniel Farke issues positive Wilfried Gnonto injury update as return timeline given

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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has given an injury update for their visit to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon – with Wilfried Gnonto the topic of interest amid his return from the treatment table.

Leeds head to the south coast looking to pick up another three points after a vital win over West Ham United on Friday evening, pushing them to 11 points in the Premier League table.

They now sit six points clear of the bottom three, with Daniel Farke’s side making a real go of survival having returned to the Premier League for the first time in two years.

And with Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto having not appeared in six weeks, the German boss has issued a positive update on his injury status.

Daniel Farke says Leeds star Wilfried Gnonto is closing in on a return from injury

Gnonto is slowly returning to the fore, and he is making good progress. Farke believes he could be ready for a return soon, although he won’t be fit for the visit to the AMEX Stadium.

Speaking in a press conference prior to their Premier League clash against the Seagulls, Farke said: “I have nothing to report or complain about.

“No injuries or illnesses! No guarantee we are successful in the game, but a much better situation to last week.

“Gnonto is not a topic to start, but he has had his first full week of training.”

Gnonto last featured in Leeds’ 1-0 defeat to Fulham in mid-September, being ruled out with a calf injury ever since.

The Whites have picked up seven points from five games since, with Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and Noah Okafor all featuring ever since.

Although he won’t be utilised against Fabian Hurzeler’s men, it’s a positive sign for one of Leeds’ most important players to cause damage throughout the Premier League campaign, as he did in 2022-23 with six goal contributions as Leeds were eventually relegated from the top-flight.

When Wilfried Gnonto could return for Leeds United

Of course, the week after next sees an international break come around.

Gnonto will miss the clash against Brighton, and he could also miss out on a vital game at the City Ground when Leeds travel to Nottingham Forest next Sunday.

But with a two-week wait for club football whilst the international break takes place, that will give Gnonto vital minutes on the training ground.

As a result, he could return in time for the home fixture against Aston Villa on November 23rd, just as the fixtures start to pick up ahead of the festive period.

With Leeds using a plethora of wingers so far in the campaign, it could be his time to properly nail down a first-team spot.