Leeds United

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Leeds full-back James Justin feels the side will not be "scrapping" for survival at the end of the season if they can keep turning out the performances they have been doing.

A turnaround in form in December has seen the Whites picking up crucial points on their way to moving six clear of the relegation zone.

Daniel Farke's side now face a tough match to keep their positive run of form going when they host title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday.

Speaking alongside striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin about their battle to stay in the league with 11 games remaining, James told BBC Radio Leeds: "We've been in this position before, through all of the years that [Calvert-Lewin] has been in the Premier League and that I've experienced in the Premier League.

"Something people get caught up too much in is looking at the table - it's just about what you're doing on the weekend in terms of performances and turning into points.

"At the end of the day, that is going to keep us up - how many points you have on the board. If we keep turning out performances like we're doing, and keep our run going, then we shouldn't be scrapping for it.

"Obviously, it's the Premier League at the end of the day, and there's many big clubs down there at the bottom fighting it out for who's going to stay up, so you have to stay switched on every day and keep working hard every day. Then we'll see where we're at at the end of the season."

Calvert-Lewin, who joined the club in the summer, added: "We've been fortunate to play a lot of our career in the Premier League and with that comes knowledge and experience that we can only try to spread across the group in moments when it's most needed.

"There are times in games when we can lean on our experience and try to manage the game ourselves, but also help others manage the game as well.

"If you look at us from the start of the season to where we are now, we've grown as a group and each individual has grown and got more confident and learned from experiences - good and bad.

"That's the most important thing - not only do we try and help each other, but everyone holds themselves accountable as well, which they do."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Before Saturday's meeting with Manchester City at Elland Road on Saturday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Justin have sat down with BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan to discuss the Whites' survival bid.

Here is a taste of what they discussed...

Justin: "From where we were at the start of the season to where we're at now, I feel the group has a lot more confidence and that feeling of belonging in the Premier League."

Calvert-Lewin: "A word you hear a lot is momentum, and that can work positively or negatively. At the moment, we have positive momentum with the run that we're on.

"Credit to us - we turned that round at a crucial moment of the season. We've learned from that and have that momentum at the moment. We have to keep driving high standards and see where that takes us."

Listen to the full chat with by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

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BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope considers Pep Guardiola's comments on letting his Manchester City players have some time off for drinks and relaxation before returning to training in the build-up to facing Leeds.

"Clearly he's trying to get an edge over Mikel Arteta," Pope told the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

"How do you get an edge on someone you worked so closely with?

"Arsenal went and answered a lot of critics at Tottenham. It's on Man City now against Leeds.

"I have people messaging me saying 'if Leeds play their game, they have every chance of getting a point'.

"There's one thing this Premier League has shown, nobody is impenetrable this season.

"Leeds have surprised everybody to the point now where they are not surprising people by getting results. It's going to be a tough ask for City.

"This Leeds side don't lie down, they don't let anybody really steamroller them at all, the Arsenal game aside.

"The way Leeds are talked about in the league now, not just one of the plucky sides, but how well they are set up."

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix raised the prospect of a poisoned chalice if the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Bogle, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joe Rodon impress so much this season that big bids come in for their services.

Pope replied: "It's the place where you want to be in terms of if your players are doing that well, they are talked about and wanted.

"But then, Leeds are going to become a club you want to stay at. Not just relegation fodder. I know you need two years to settle into the Premier League but it feels like it is becoming more and more of a destination place as a club rather than just the sort of place to play Premier League football.

"Yes there will be bids but I can see Leeds hanging on."

Listen to Don't Go To Bed Just Yet

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Image source, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

As well as a Champions League title, three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two Community Shields to James Milner's name, he now has three Guinness World Record titles.

After Milner overtook Gareth Barry's record of 653 Premier League appearances in Brighton's 2-0 victory over Brentford, Milner's overall top-flight appearances now sits at 654.

The 40-year-old has also set two other records, which now means he holds the longest gap between his first and last Premier League goals (22 years 248 days) and for the most consecutive Premier League seasons played (24).

Milner said: "When I was younger, I used to get the Guinness World Records book for Christmas every year. So this is pretty amazing."

Image source, Getty Images

The team on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast have consulted the abacus to see what may be needed to secure Premier League safety.

BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope said: "I am thinking 38 will probably be enough. Others will take points off each other and some will continue to spiral. I am going to stick to 38.

"I think Leeds look better than them all."

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix spoke of a "great point" at Aston Villa on Sunday and added: "I still feel like late 30s.

"It's not that many more points, if we can beat Burnley at home, Wolves at home and Sunderland at home, we'll have 40. I think that's enough. Anything else is bonus points."

Listen to the podcast in full

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Adonis Storr
Fan writer

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On Anton Stach's social media accounts this season, he has cosplayed as Wolverine from the X-Men, Wednesday Adams and, before the Aston Villa game on Saturday, Cruella de Ville.

The German's quirky humour has kept his team-mates' spirits high, but his performances have stood out even more than his oddly delightful posts.

By January, the midfielder was standing statistically above the entire league being the only player to make over two tackles (2.1), have over two shots (2.2) and create more than two chances (2.4) per 90 minutes.

He is the only player to hit those numbers for any newly promoted club in the past 15 years.

But it is his direct free-kicks that are the most eye-catching.

After Saturday, Stach has scored directly from three free-kicks now this season – a screamer into Wolves' top corner in September, a floated, curled effort past Crystal Palace in December, and Saturday's goal-of-the-season contender at Villa Park.

In finding a set-piece specialist, Leeds have unearthed a rarity – Stach's three goals from free-kicks is the most anyone has scored direct from a set-piece in Europe's top five leagues since the start of last season.

The German is a tall, imposing figure, as adept at defending as he is at attacking, a classic number eight reminiscent of Gary McAllister.

He is on a four-year contract and, at 27, will spend his peak years in West Yorkshire. He is likely to define Leeds' next few seasons as they attempt to cement themselves as a Premier League mainstay.

Stach is blossoming into a cult hero, capable of the spectacular on and off the pitch. And a few more performances like the one against Aston Villa and he will be staking a claim for player of the season by May.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock, external

Leeds came so close to a second away victory in the Premier League after Anton Stach's superb free-kick had them ahead until hosts Aston Villa equalised in the dying minutes.

Adam Pope and Simon Rix discuss United's valuable point despite the propensity to concede late goals.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Trevor: Lacklustre. It's a shame because we made too many errors. We have a tough game next Friday against Wolves. We need to have a better gameplan, and gee up those players that didn't give it their all.

Prit: Leeds played extraordinary well and Daniel Farke is doing a great job. As for Villa, we were poor for large parts of the game and I think Unai Emery got the team selection wrong. Villa need to be starting with Tammy Abraham as Ollie Watkins has failed too many times this season. Leon Bailey is a good player to bring on as sub - but we can't start with him. We needed three points but deserved only one. We desperately need John McGinn and Youri Tielemans back as soon as possible - otherwise, we will sleepwalk out of the top four.

Matthew: While injuries have ripped the literal heart out of this Aston Villa side, for over an hour the 11 on the pitch showed no metaphorical heart either. The confidence and perseverance that has characterised much of the season was absent. It wasn't until the introduction of Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho that we finally got some of the stability and cutting edge we needed, allowing a much better final 20 minutes or so. Overall, though, not good enough from too many players, especially the woeful Bailey.

Martyn: This was never going to be an easy game and we just never got going until it was too late. Even Superman Rogers was pretty anonymous and it must be time to drop Watkins for Tammy. But hey - a top five finish is within sight and completely under our own control. Catch us if you can!

Leeds fans

Eric: It says something when we come away from Villa unhappy that we dropped two points, instead of being happy that we came away from a top four club with one point. Bit frustrated, though, at once again conceding right at the death - close, but just not close enough.

Fazzinho: Farke deserves a lot of credit. The team is overachieving based on their cost and ability. We're not there yet, but two away draws against top four teams is unbelievable.

Andy: I know every point is a good point, but we are dropping too many points from winning positions. More points dropped because the manager can't identify when he needs to make substitutions. Ilia Gruev ran himself into the ground but from 70 minutes onwards the game screamed out for Dan James as an outlet, as he doesn't shirk the defensive work.

Henrik: A gritty display with a degree of luck. We take the point and move further towards safety.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 1-1 Burnley

• Aston Villa 1-1 Leeds

• West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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For Leeds, who won the Championship last season, this was a step closer to securing their top-flight status for another campaign, although they will be hugely disappointed to have not held on for all three points.

They looked to be in trouble at the end of November but since December they have collected 20 points from 14 games, only losing twice in that period.

Before the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the month, Farke said they needed 12 points to ensure survival - and they now have five of those after a win and two draws.

Although the manner of Anton Stach's wonderful strike surprised most of those in a sold-out Villa Park, the visitors had been good value for their lead with 10-goal top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin a constant handful.

On the first of two good chances, a heavy touch enabled Ezri Konsa to recover and make a perfectly-timed sliding challenge. Calvert-Lewin's touch was much better on the second occasion as he raced on to Jayden Bogle's well-weighted ball over the top, only for Calvert-Lewin to be denied by Emi Martinez's excellent save.

In the second half, Leeds had to defend deeply but did create a couple of chances.

Calvert-Lewin had an effort saved by Martinez, who also saved a diving header from Lukas Nmecha, and the failure to score a second proved costly.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Sport: "The outcome of this game was equal. I am proud of my warriors today against a team in the title race.

"Top performance in the first half, didn't allow much. They need to win here in the title race. There were one or two really good situations where we could have scored. A hard-fought and well-deserved point."

Can Dominic Calvert-Lewin be in the England squad? "That's a question for Thomas [Tuchel]. He has to keep going and scoring. If he performs well, he has a chance to be on the plane."

On Anton Stach: "I wanted to have him on the pitch today. He has big quality with his set pieces."

On Ethan Ampadu: "He is our captain and probably our most important player. Great leadership and great body language.

"To survive as a promoted side is never easy. We know we have to fight for every point. It's a good point, we edge closer."

Leeds midfielder Anton Stach said: "I think overall you have to say a draw was a fair result but when you concede a goal in the last minute, it is unlucky. It is a very good point, we take it. We need to carry on like this.

"You can see we are a whole team on the pitch. We try to help each other. Only like this can you survive in this league. We have good quality and it's nice to have.

"When we win the ball high, we tried to get behind the last line of them. I think they struggled with it. We need to keep going like this."

On his goal: "I just came back from injury so I didn't have enough time to practice this. I went to the second post and then I saw the goalkeeper near the second post and I thought, I'd just do it."

Did you know?

• With four, only Antoine Semenyo has more goals from outside the penalty area in the Premier League this season than Leeds United's Anton Stach, with his three direct free-kick goals the joint-most in the competition along with Dominik Szoboszlai.

• Only Ian Harte (with four in 2000-01) has scored more direct free-kick goals for Leeds United in a Premier League season than Anton Stach's three in 2025-26.

You can listen to Daniel Farke and Jayden Bogle speaking after the game on BBC Sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Unai Emery makes seven changes to the Aston Villa side that exited the FA Cup with a 3-1 home loss to Newcastle a week ago.

Emiliano Martinez was always going to return in goal, but Marco Bizot's red card in that game means Villa have 21-year-old James Wright, yet to play a minute competitively for the club, as their back-up goalkeeper.

Tammy Abraham's first goal for Villa since his £18.2m move from Besiktas is not enough to keep him in the team as Ollie Watkins starts up front.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Luiz, Onana, Rogers, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins.

Subs: Wright, Lindelof, Digne, Torres, Garcia, Bogarde, Barkley, Sancho, Abraham.

Only James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson remain from the 11 that began Leeds' win over Birmingham in the FA Cup as boss Daniel Farke makes nine changes.

Top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns up front.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Ampadu, Justin, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Rodon, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Bornauw, Bijol, Tanaka, Longstaff, Nmecha, Gnonto, James, Piroe.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Brentford v Brighton

• Chelsea v Burnley - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• West Ham v Bournemouth (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to Aston Villa v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Bournemouth", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

This game will be Aston Villa's first Saturday 3pm kick-off at home in the Premier League for 371 days.

They were held to a 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town's 10 men back then and are in stuttering form ahead of the visit of Leeds United, who they beat 2-1 in November's reverse fixture thanks to two second-half goals by Morgan Rogers.

Ton up for Emery?

Third-placed Aston Villa have been in mid-table form over their past eight league games, with three wins, three defeats and 11 points during that spell. They've only scored four goals in their six most recent top-flight fixtures, most recently profiting from a late own goal to beat Brighton.

That was followed by last weekend's FA Cup exit to Newcastle – Villa's third home defeat in five matches, as many losses as in their previous 43 fixtures at Villa Park.

Key midfield injuries have inevitably affected performances, but the Villans tend to find a way of engineering results under Unai Emery. The Spaniard, who took over in 2022 with Villa only a point above the relegation zone, has a 56% win percentage – the highest of any permanent manager in the club's history.

Against Leeds, he could become only the fifth manager or de facto manager to reach 100 wins with Villa, doing so in the fewest games.

Under Emery, Villa are unbeaten in all 18 league games against promoted sides, winning 14 and drawing four.

Improved Leeds seek elusive away win

Emery's counterpart Daniel Farke has found an effective gameplan for his Leeds side since a home defeat by Villa in November kept them in the relegation zone. The switch to a back three midway through the next game, away to Manchester City, has provided the platform for sustained improvement.

Leeds have only lost two league matches since the start of December, a record only bettered by the two Manchester clubs. The Whites have registered a league-high seven draws over that 13-match period, including against current top-six sides Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool (twice).

"We are on a good path but I am a realistic person," said Farke. "We have to win many more points and for that we will stay with a foot on the gas."

The next step for 15th-placed Leeds is to win away. They've gone 10 top-flight games without doing so and their only Premier League victory on the road this season came in September at bottom side Wolves.

I was at Elland Road when Aston Villa won there in November - Leeds were really good in the first half but faded, and two Morgan Rogers goals gave Villa the points.

Leeds' form has picked up a lot since then, however, and they are on 30 points now.

That would have been enough to keep them up last season, when third-bottom Leicester went down with 25 points, but they have still got some work to do.

Villa have slipped up a couple of times at home in the past few weeks, losing unexpectedly to Everton and Brentford, and they are probably looking at the table thinking they should be breathing down leaders Arsenal's neck.

I can see Leeds giving them another good game, but I don't see Unai Emery's side dropping points this time. Villa will find a way.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read more of Sutton's predictions

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Some of you have been in touch using our Ask Me Anything form on Leeds United over the future of Facundo Buonanotte. Specifically, we've had a few questions on whether his loan deal could become permanent.

Leeds United do not have an obligation nor an option to buy Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton and Hove Albion. It is a straight loan.

In 69 minutes of football for United Buonanotte, 21, has yet to make his mark with his first start being cut short after a disappointing 45 minutes at Birmingham City in the FA Cup.

However, Whites' manager Daniel Farke was keen in Thursday's Aston Villa press conference to say of the number 10: "Work hard in training and when there is the next chance then try to do it better. We believe in you, that's how I deal with it. Let's see what the outcome is in the summer. For us it's not big risk, for him it's not a big risk, just a chance to shine without spending any transfer fee."

However, it is far too early to assess whether he will be a success at Elland Road until he finds his rhythm having been sparsely used by Chelsea in his earlier loan spell this season.

Farke wanted the creative midfielder as part of his summer transfer activity so has had to wait a further five months. His record of developing and assimilating players into his squad is strong so there is time yet for Buonanotte to impress.

Farke added that it was not realistic for Buonanotte to hit the ground running.

He said: "If we want a player to come in and make our starting line up straight away better (in this position) we need to invest £30m, that's a fact, maybe even more in the January window, perhaps £40m. I never had these expectations about him. We just like his potential and his character a lot and if it works then great."

As I understand the Argentina international does not figure in Brighton's long-term plans where he has two years remaining on his contract. That situation change if the head coach were to be dismissed at some point. At present the Seagulls believe they have enough quality players in Buonanotte's position so if there was no permanent deal for him he would probably go on loan again next season. If they were to be relegated they may use him in the Championship.

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Leeds are heading to Aston Villa and the team at the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast have knocked out another episode to set the tone.

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An interesting development concerning connecting Elland Road and the Beeston & Holbeck area to Leeds city centre has occurred over the last week.

The mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on Monday reiterated her legacy project pledge that: "We are going to deliver a tram for West Yorkshire."

The Labour mayor had been asked about the decision not to publish a report that has led to West Yorkshire's planned network being delayed until the late 2030s. Undeterred Brabin, whilst acknowledging people's cynicism, described the delay "as a bump in the road we will navigate".

Mayor Brabin, when challenged over the realistic prospect of delivering a mass transit system, countered: "We have the backing of business, we have the backing of the politicians, we have the backing of government and we have the money."

In terms of finance £2.1bn of funding for the project as part of West Yorkshire's Transport for City Regions settlement has been allocated and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority plans to submit its first strategic outline business case for approval this year. The Department for Transport (DfT) says Leeds City Council has described the area around the ground as one of the most significant development opportunities in the country, with the potential to deliver about 2,000 new homes.

Ally the mayor's comments with those of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves on her Instagram last week and it is fair to say there is a push by this government to recognise how important it will be to connect the city, with the stadium and the White Rose Centre via a transport link.

"I know how much potential our patch has to offer," claimed the Leeds West and Pudsey MP as she was referring "to the green light for the economy boosting expansion of Elland Road", which includes the redevelopment of the West and North Stand to increase stadium to more than 50,000 capacity.

Chancellor Reeves' social media post was accompanied by a video showing her meeting with Leeds United director Peter Lowy and others at Number 11. It revealed that the Lowy Family Group (LFG) is backing what she says is a £650m redevelopment plan for Elland Road. It is understood that the investment is actually greater than that which the Chancellor quoted. His Majesty's Treasury was asked by BBC Radio Leeds to explain the figure and how it was reached but were told by a government spokesperson: "The funding is with His Majesty's Treasury and at this moment they don't have a breakdown I can provide unfortunately."

Like Mayor Brabin the Chancellor mentioned the importance of private business and referred to the Lowy Family Group's (LFG) investment as being able to "create jobs, unlock opportunities and bring more people into the local economy".

Chancellor Reeves cited the need to "tear down the blockers and barriers to progress" and how legislation has been brought in "to cut unnecessary planning delays and accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure from transport to clean energy."

BBC Radio Leeds understands that the meeting with (LFG) was about funding a Light Rail system which may be a tram from Leeds station to White Rose including a stop at Elland Road. In light of what the Chancellor is suggesting can this link be pushed to the fore and delivered earlier than has been anticipated?

His Majesty's Treasury and The Department for Transport have said the timetable for the delivery of mass transit is a matter for the Mayor and the devolved funding is for her to prioritise. The Government told BBC Radio Leeds "it is fully committed to delivering the Mayor of West Yorkshire's ambition to deliver a Mass Transit system and supports the Mayor's ambition for spades in the ground on preparatory works by 2028, and will continue to work with the Mayor on the date for entry into service."

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds boss Daniel Farke says fit-again midfielder Anton Stach has been "fantastic" this season, with the midfielder available to return in Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.

The 27-year-old has impressed since his £17m move from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in the summer, starting 20 Premier League matches and contributing three goals and three assists.

The Whites are impressing in their fight to avoid relegation after promotion back to the Premier League and also see their squad strengthened by the return to fitness of Pascal Struijk and Daniel James.

"Yes, it's a big boost," Farke said in his pre-match news conference.

"Same to have Pascal Struijk back and Daniel James, hopefully for the long term. Anton has been fantastic. He's played a crucial role.

"He perfectly embodies our balance, out of being a physical player who can stand up to the intensity and physicality of this league, but also he's good on the ball. Tactically, he's spot on.

"He's also a top character, also good technique and also good at set-pieces."

Stach's versatility and physicality in midfield has been a welcome addition for Farke, with the German international not needing the time to bed in that many signings from the Bundesliga have done.

"It's very impressive because normally even the top players need time to adapt to the Premier League," Farke added.

"But Anton has more or less been shining from the first game in pre-season and this is quite rare I would say.

"It says a lot about his character and quality and we're happy to have him back after his little injury."

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix discussed the recent managerial changes at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham and how that could affect Leeds United in the battle for survival.

Pope said: "I'm thinking it's good for Leeds because of the headloss. It's not just the managers or the ownership, it's the fanbase that goes with it - and that must project down through to the players.

"The Sean Dyche one is mad, whether you like Dyche or not. We looked at the form, his form was really good.

"I think that massively plays into Leeds' hands and everybody else down the bottom, because suddenly I think Forest seem the most vulnerable."

Buchan added: "I think Spurs will have enough but I think they've taken a big gamble as well by making that change."

Listen to the full episode here

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Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Farke says Facundo Buonanotte's slow start since joining Leeds on loan was to be expected and has stressed the forward has been brought in to offer depth rather than immediate first-team impact.

Buonanotte, 21, joined on loan from Brighton in January and has made three appearances, most recently being withdrawn after 45 minutes of his only start in an FA Cup win at Birmingham.

Farke said "expectations" and "excitement" around a signing are always prevalent but he did not expect a fast start from a player who has struggled for consistent football, having spent much of his recent career on loan at Leicester, Chelsea and now Leeds.

Farke explained: "This is the message I gave him from when he arrived - we haven't signed him to improve our 11 straight away. We signed him to improve the depth in our squad. We let Jack Harrison go out on loan and Harry Gray out on loan. We spoke openly with Facundo about it. We want to make sure we hold the pressure high on our other options.

"We just like his potential. I told him 'I don't write you off after one poor half'. I was half expecting this."

Farke says it is a good thing that Buonanotte has not immediately commanded a first-team place, as it would mean Leeds did not already own attackers of adequate calibre.

He explained that if Buonanotte instantly improved the team, Leeds would probably need to purchase an attacker like him in the near future, at a cost of £30-40m.

Farke continued: "It's never easy - we give you the stage, support and arm around the shoulder. We don't expect you to cut this league into pieces. It is step by step. If it works out - great, if not it's a loan for both sides, not a big risk.

"He didn't have his best game in the FA Cup game but it's also a bit realistic. If you bring a player in who has rarely played a game, this is what happens sometimes. He's in a challenging position."