Farke on Gruev return date, 'the perfect start' and Mudryk 'noise'

With "no new injuries" to report following their Premier League season-opener, he is expecting to have "more or less the same players available" for their first cup match of the season.

Ilia Gruev, who suffered a meniscus knee injury in April, is "fully back" in team training after being "partly integrated" last week. However, this fixture comes "a bit too soon".

He added: "We want him to be back in team training for at least two weeks before he is ready for selection, each and every training session will help."

Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson, who are both nursing hamstring injuries, are in a good place with their rehabilitation but are not back in team training just yet.

On starting the Premier League season with a win: "There is no replacement for a winning feeling in the dressing room. To get a clean sheet and an away win on matchday one is the perfect start. If you look at the other results, they show how difficult it is to deliver away wins at this level."

Despite the identical circumstances, Farke says Leeds will not have the edge over Nottingham Forest as you "can't really compare" league games and cup games.

He explained: "Our league win is good for our mood and confidence, but this is a 'do or die' cup game. Both teams will be motivated to progress, so I expect a tight game. It will be difficult to win on the road again against a tough opponent."

In terms of team selection, it will be about "finding the right balance" between resting players and building momentum. Farke explained: "You want to keep the competition in the squad high at the start of a season, you want the players fighting for their place, so there will be some rotation but I don't expect it to be a completely different side."

Summer signing Nico Elvedi is "eligible to play and in very good shape" after a full pre-season with Borussia Monchengladbach, so there is "definitely a possibility" for his full debut.

On how much it would mean to win a first domestic cup of his managerial career: "Well, we weren't too far away last season. Overall, I would say my form in cup competitions hasn't been too bad during my career. I'm a big believer in these competitions, I like the 'do or die' mentality. I would never say no to another good cup run."

When asked about Leeds United's interest in Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk, he replied: "There's always noise around this club. You get the feeling agents try to use our name to get others to speak about their player. Sometimes we are linked with players I haven't even heard of!"

The club will "stay awake until more or less the last second" of the summer transfer window but they will only commit to deals that "make sense". The aim is to "be financially sustainable" and "not gamble" on transfers.

Sam Byram's future will most likely be away from Elland Road. The defender didn't get much game time last season and is currently exploring his options.

Farke added: "He has always been in my plans and in my head because I have a soft spot for him. I love him as a player and as a human being. We wish him all the best. Fingers crossed he makes a good decision for his future."