Javi Gracia is under no illusions about how challenging Leeds United’s upcoming schedule will be. Leeds are due to play seven Premier League games throughout the month of April and that's a run of fixtures that will push Gracia’s squad to their limits as they look to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three.
The month begins on Saturday with the gruelling trip to north London to face league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, before Leeds make the quick turnaround to tackle relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on Tuesday night. Crystal Palace, who are also struggling for traction at the bottom of the division will travel to West Yorkshire next weekend to round off the first week of a hellish month for the Whites
April progresses with the visit of Liverpool and that comes before games against Fulham, Leicester City and Bournemouth, with the latter two being seen as six-pointers at the foot of the division. Gracia is well aware of what’s to come for his side over the next few weeks and he knows he will need all hands on deck in order to keep his side in a state of relative freshness at this late stage of the season.
Read more: Every word Javi Gracia said on Leeds United injuries, Adams, Arsenal plan, Sinisterra, Rodrigo
To his credit, though, the Spaniard won’t allow himself to focus on anything else other than this Saturday’s meeting with the Gunners and the crucial points that are on offer.
“It would be good to rotate the players but first of all we need to recover more players because in some positions we don’t have players to rotate,” Gracia said. "We need to try to choose the best players for the next game and then we’ll see what happens for the next game.
“I think we are only focused on the next because I prefer not to think about all the month because it’s going to be very tough for us.
“To be honest I am thinking only about Arsenal. I know we have to play important games, in seven days two important games. I think it’s a good chance to get points with the support of our fans but now we are focused on Arsenal.
“As I said before it’s the only way to have chances to get a good result.”
Gracia’s options for rotation in key positions have been reduced lately with Tyler Adams, Wilfried Gnonto and Max Wober all picking up injuries. The head coach was unable to provide more information on their issues with potential return dates very much up in the air for all three men.
However, he has confidence in his squad’s ability to cope without them for however long they are missing.
“I have to be worried about it because they are important players for us and we don’t have a big squad,” he added. “We have to look for the solutions but to be honest I am positive, I am optimistic and most important is that I believe in all my squad and all the players I have.”
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