Leeds United injury state of play ahead of Championship play-off final vs Southampton

Leeds United and Southampton will compete in the so-called ‘richest game in football’ at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. Both teams successfully negotiated home play-off semi-final second-leg ties with relative ease after initial tense but tame goalless draws on the road.

Goals either side of half-time from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville sealed the Whites' place in the showpiece fixture. But United face a tough test in their quest to make it sixth time lucky in the play-offs, with Southampton having defeated them twice in the regular season.

Here is the latest news from the Thorp Arch treatment room as the Whites continue their preparations for the final.

Read more: Leeds United's kit vs Southampton in Championship play-off final at Wembley has been decided

Sam Byram

The popular defender missed their second leg against Norwich due to a hip flexor problem. He was replaced in the starting XI by Joel Piroe, who put in a sparkling performance to fully justify his recall.

What Farke said: "It was always the plan, after a really good first game, to go a bit more for it in this second game and I had this in my mind. To leave Sam Byram out was definitely forced because he had an injury with his hip flexor.

“Would I have started him anyway? Probably yes because he is experienced, but I would have definitely taken a fourth offensive-thinking player into the game because we wanted to go for it today and not just wait for a penalty shootout or something like this.

“Although, we were also prepared for that, but we wanted to attack this game and the lads delivered in these terms in a perfect way.”

Potential return: Southampton

Patrick Bamford

The striker has sat-out their past four fixtures after suffering a knee injury in the 4-3 win at Middlesbrough. Bamford has made 15 Championship starts and 18 substitute appearances, scoring eight goals.

What Bamford said on the latest 'My Mate’s a Footballer' podcast: “I don't think I will start if I was fit. Match fitness, to then go and try and play 70-80 minutes would be tough. Hopefully I get a few training sessions (this week) if all goes well.

"It's like am I going to be fit, am I not? If I was 36 and it was the last game of my career I could inject it and then play but there's risks and risks of like career ending injuries and stuff basically.

"I understand it, totally understand it when players push it through. But I feel like now I am kind of like in a privileged position because I have done it so many times, I have played when I shouldn't, it's had a knock on effect which has just kind of tumbled out of control.

"I feel like I know when it is right to try and play on it and when you know 'look, it is stupid."

Potential return: Southampton

Pascal Struijk

His last outing came in a 2-1 loss at Preston North End on Boxing Day. He underwent groin surgery in March, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

What Farke said: "It was a pretty long and complicated surgery but it went well. He's started rehab and he'll be back for pre-season."

Potential return: Next season