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Farke on Leeds forward’s fitness and defender’s future
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says Noah Okafor needs more time to reach full fitness, while the manager admitted Sebastiaan Bornauw’s future remains the subject of discussions.
Okafor recently returned from an extended summer break, leaving Farke reluctant to rush the forward into action.
“He needs time to be there at full fitness,” Farke said when asked about the chances of him starting the opening Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
“It’s important he has a proper pre-season. He’s been with us a few days and, from a rational side, a start at Nottingham comes too soon, but let’s see how quick we can get him fit.”
Farke also provided an update on Sebastiaan Bornauw’s future, with the defender being heavily linked with a move to Hamburg.
“Of course, every player wants to play all 90 minutes and in each and every game and wants to be the main man,” Farke said. “But Seb was so important for us [last season].
“I think he had even the best point average for all our players when he was in the starting line-up. He can play different positions during our defensive line.
“If a player then also has his wish and wants perhaps something different and has behaved so professional like Seb has done, then we also take it into account. We are in very open, honest discussions also with him.
“But how much I rate him, how much I wanted to sign him one year ago, because we just can’t always just sign starters. We need to think about the whole group.
“I think he has proven not just during this pre-season but also during last season how important he can be. I could live very, very good if he stays.
“Yes, if he is desperate to do something different, and you’re just out of respect to him and what he has done so far – because he’s always a top professional – we are also of course considering what he wants.
“But let’s see what the talks in the next few days will bring. I just can say my valuation of Seb and what he brings to us is very, very high.”
Leeds’ latest pre-season friendly ended in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in Dublin.
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