The end of the international break signals a return to Sky Bet Championship action for Leeds United, as they host Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on Friday evening.

Two promotion contenders going toe-to-toe under the Elland Road lights, the tie promises to be an enthralling encounter as both teams look to continue their impressive starts to the new campaign.

The build-up to the game has been difficult with players away representing their countries according to Daniel Farke, but he is confident his squad are up for the challenge when the Blades visit LS11.

“It is always tricky during the international break, especially for a team with so many players away,” the Whites’ boss told the media at Thorp Arch.

“Of course, it is always a bit tricky with our training or with our proper team training to prepare in the best possible way, but we try to find some good solutions and nevertheless we want to be at our best on Friday evening and want to win as many points as possible.

“We are competitive in each and every game. I think, especially on the road, a perfect, more or less a perfect outcome to have not lost one game on the road.

“Also, the home games, performance-wise, I think they have been also on the top level. It was a bit annoying that out of our dominance against Portsmouth and also against Burnley when we dominate the game more or less completely, that we didn’t win these two games otherwise our start could have been in terms of points even better.

“It will be tricky to break Sheffield United down. But that is what we have to do. And we have to be also fully aware of their strengths, especially in their offense and their counterattacks.

“They have players who can score goals. We need a pretty complex performance, like I mentioned already several times against such a good side. And we have to be at our best Friday evening.”

Ahead of the fixture, Farke also provided an injury update, pleased to admit it is: “Good news with Dan James and Manor Solomon.

“They are since late last week back in team training. And during this week they have trained more or less each and every day. Obviously, Dan James was out for a bit longer, I think over six weeks.

“So, of course, it is perhaps a bit easier for Manor right now because he was just out for three weeks. Overall, it is good to have them back and we desperately need them also back as solutions in our offense.”

Friday night will also allow everybody connected with both clubs to come together and pay their respects as football remember former Blades defender George Baldock, who sadly passed away last week aged 31.

“It is always difficult when you have experienced such a tragedy,” Farke added. “I have also come up in several games against George and you hear such news.

“It is difficult to speak about football because in this moment our thoughts are just there with him and his family. A few players of our squad have played against him, and also with him, so it was unbelievably sad news.”