Jesse Marsch faces the media on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United head coach will take questions from television, radio, print and online journalists at Thorp Arch ahead of the Aston Villa clash on Friday.
Here is a run-down of some of the main topics on the agenda for the American to address at the training ground today.
Team news
As ever, Marsch is likely to open the press conference with a statement on where his team is at medically. As of Sunday afternoon, we were dealing with four senior absentees: Adam Forshaw, Liam Cooper, Crysencio Summerville and Stuart Dallas.
READ MORE: Leeds United have made a statement on Jesse Marsch's future after some sacking calls
All of them apart from Dallas were not expected to be out for too long. Cooper has been mentioned as a returner to training this week, while the strategy for Forshaw and Summerville remains unclear for now.
Transfers
While you should not hold your breath for any meaningful answer on the topic, at least for incoming moves, the media would not be doing their jobs if they did not ask the club’s only regularly accountable official how it was spending its money. Weston McKennie is the latest name gaining traction in Italy with a Leeds link.
Jack Harrison has been mentioned as a target for Leicester City, while Cody Drameh and Joe Gelhardt are on the verge of loans to the Championship. The fan base needs updates.
A friendly face
The big signing news this week belonged to Chris Armas, Marsch’s long-time teammate, colleague and friend. More than a month after Mark Jackson's departure for Milton Keynes Dons, Leeds have their man.
Marsch is sure to be quizzed on why his compatriot has been chosen and what he’s likely to bring to Thorp Arch after missing half the season. Armas’s Manchester United past may come up too.
Accrington and the cup run
Since Marsch last faced the media it has become clear Accrington will be Saturday’s host in the FA Cup. The head coach will be asked about the third-tier outfit, who he is understood to have watched on Tuesday night, and how many changes he may be tempted to make.
Rutter time?
Georginio Rutter missed out on his chance to debut in the Premier League last weekend, but Marsch did casually suggest the Frenchman may be blooded one week later. The club’s record signing may not have been expecting to start out in the salubrious surroundings of the Crown Ground, but that’s on the cards.
Marsch will be asked how the forward has got on this week and whether he is still on course to start or be on the bench this weekend.
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