Jesse Marsch: It will be an intense match

Jesse Marsch: It will be an intense match

Head coach looks ahead to Aston Villa clash.

Jesse Marsch has spoken with the media ahead of Sunday’s match against Aston Villa at Elland Road. 

The Whites return to Premier League action after the recent international break and prior to that, having two matches postponed. 

As always, the Leeds United head coach gave an update on the fitness of his squad and who was available for selection this weekend.

He said: “Archie Gray had an incident at home and has fractured his big toe, so he’ll probably be out for another two weeks.

“Stuart [Dallas] is making a really good recovery. He went down to see specialists and they feel like he's doing really well and on track. Obviously, it'll still be some time for him. 

“Adam Forshaw twisted his ankle this week. It's not so bad, but he won't be available this weekend. 

"Other than that every single player is available for us. So we're feeling like we're getting to full strength.”

Sunday’s opponents have had an indifferent start to the campaign, but pose a strong challenge and will be coming to Elland Road looking for three points, after what has been a long break from playing for the home side. 

“We played them last year and we played them in pre-season, we didn't have our best matches in either moments,” Marsch stated.  

“I think that they have quality on the pitch and they're very organised, especially with the way they defend. 

“I think that's the thing that's got them out of their their tough spell in the beginning of the season, is that they've been defending really well and very organised specifically against the ball. 

“They can be a threat on set pieces and in transition moments. So it'll be a tight match. I'm sure that it will be an intense match.

“We've gotten a little bit healthier [during the break] and we've been able to talk a little bit more. We were able to work out a little bit and get more down to tactics. 

“I've always tried whether it was in the lockdown or in pre-season moments when you have these little breaks to really try to maximise what you're doing with the team.”

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