Unlike Burnley and Everton, Leeds United have a clear week to prepare for a final day which will decide Premier League relegation. After three matches in seven days, head coach Jesse Marsch is glad of the chance to get his players holed up at Thorp Arch for the week.
On Thursday night, less than 72 hours before all 20 teams kick-off their final matches on Sunday, Burnley visit Aston Villa and Everton host Crystal Palace. Leeds, meanwhile, will be training and recuperating at their own pace on the training ground.
The week out of the fire comes at a good time for Marsch who, after watching his side dig out a last-gasp draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, admits his squad were out on their feet at full-time. Stuart Dallas, Daniel James, Luke Ayling, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts, Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville have all been unable to share the load with their team-mates across the past week for one reason or another.
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“We were on empty and with where we are with the roster, between suspension and injury, a lot of guys played a lot of matches over the last week and three matches,” said Marsch. “They gave everything they had.
“One of the things I say is, ‘do that (give everything) and when you’re done, put your hand up and it’s next guy in’, that’s what it was today. The resolve from the group, the mentality to fight for everything is still what makes this group special.”
Dallas, James, Ayling, Forshaw, Roberts and Summerville will play no part on Sunday, but Bamford is the one card on the sidelines which could yet be played by Marsch. Brighton had always been held up as the optimistic target for the striker’s return, but Brentford may yet come late enough for one final roll of the dice.
